3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 81,767

I am always amazed at the excitement and nervousness from those going on their first short-term mission trip, most of the time they don’t know enough to know what they need to be nervous about. There is an excitement in their eyes as they head into the unknown. They prepare testimonies and lessons, not knowing how God will use them or if they will be effective. They pack what is recommended and wonder if it will be enough. They comfort their parents and loved ones, and try to reassure them everything is going to be alright, while at the same time not knowing what the future holds. But through leading and prayer, the journey begins.

 

A lot of mission team members, especially those who have never been on mission before usually become broken spiritually sometime during the week of the trip. They discover a new outlook on sharing, faith, trust, and God. Why is this? It is simple, during the week they are constantly hearing the word of God either from others sharing or through the preaching or their own study. They also see the word of God come to life. That doesn’t mean that the bible gets up and starts walking around. But they see the Spirit of God begin to work in the lives of the people they come in contact with. They walk the streets with a single purpose, to find the person of peace with whom they can share the good news of the gospel. Some are hit with the hard truth that not all will accept the gospel, so they plant a seed not knowing the condition of the soil. Other times they begin to pour out water onto unknown soil, unaware that a seed exist and has been waiting for the moisture that God will use to bring it to life. They get excited and don’t know what to do when out of the ground springs forth life. A miracle, they get to see cold dead bones come to life. After that experience, they have a drive to share and no longer need to be pushed in front of people to share with. Oh what it would have been like in Acts to walk the streets and see God work, bringing people to life through the proclamation of the Gospel. But wait, could that still happen? And could it happen here?

After returning home and a couple weeks of rest, life returns to normal. The mission was accomplished, people were saved and now we are back comfortable, safe, fed, and loved. Or are we? There is always a sense of completion at the end of a mission trip. Not that that would be wrong in the short term, but there is a since of that was where we were on mission at, but now we are back and we have things to get done. Real stuff, school, work, friends, problems, and you know life. Right?

One of the greatest tragedies we have is short-term missions. I know you saw a bunch of people get saved, and God really “showed up”, but stay with me. There is a since of awe and wonder during the week of a mission trip. And we look forward to the next year when we can go and feel that same since of awe and wonder. But let’s compare it to a race shall we. Anyone who runs foot races understands that you have different splits. These are markers throughout the race to gauge your progress, and to ensure you are on pace. A short-term mission trip is sort of like a split. It is a time to see if you are where you need to be in your spiritual life, in your reading and study of the word, apologetics, doctrines, and if you can articulate them to the world around you. The shortness of the week gives you the opportunity to push yourself hard and to evaluate yourself. The tragedy is that the short-term is looked at, as the race itself. We return with a sense that we ran and will rest up to run again next year.

The race however is not over. In fact it is just beginning. When you return home, it is like passing the first mile marker. The street is no longer filled with cheering fans, the road narrows, and the reality of the race sets in. Here is where we must work our hardest. This is where we must pull from prayer and scripture, the strength to press on. Where most might sit and rest, we must run to win. We don’t just return to normal life, we return with a renewed sense of awe for what God has been doing and we must now trust even more so that He will continue His work. We saw on foreign soil God work in others lives. Now we must trust that He will work in ours for His glory and to reach those around us. We are home; this is where we must turn from our sins, where we must love God more than mother and father, more than friends and things. This is where we live out what we preach, if we believe that which we have taught. Did we believe it? Do we believe it? If so, then are we disciplined for the miles ahead? Paul tells the church at Corinth “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified”. Are we disqualified or are we still in the race?

There are no short-term missionaries; there are only missionaries in different context. When we return to our Jerusalem, let us seek the hope that is only found in Christ. Let us not lean on our own understanding, our own wisdom, which is foolishness. Let us not fall victim to busyness and the lure of shiny objects that promise fulfillment. Let our knees be worn out for those nearest to us. Let our time be determined by the cross and His call, trusting that He will provide the time for work, family, fun, and ministry, as we continue the race. We have found our greatest joy in walking by faith; let us not check our faith with Homeland Security as we return home. But let us be reminded daily where our ultimate security is found and where our joy is greatest. Wherever you woke up at, wherever you find yourself, wherever you stand today, then that is your mission field. Time to get running.

81767 Responses

  2. Nordictrack Commercial 1500
    | Reply

    I was wondering if you ever considered changing the page
    layout of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve
    got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect
    with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 pictures.
    Maybe you could space it out better?

  12. permata4d
    | Reply

    Thanks , I have just been searching for info about this subject for a long time and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far.
    But, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you positive about
    the source?

  15. AliceSwile
    | Reply

    Jennette Lohre from Independence was searching for custom paper birthday banners
    Brittan Spaniel discovered the solution to a search question custom paper birthday banners
    analytical phd thesis
    in germany uproar over a doctoral thesis
    technical writer jobs austin

    [url=https://essaytyperhelp.com/]buy cheap essay[/url]
    [url=https://payforanessaysonline.com/]essay writing service[/url]
    [url=https://homeworkcourseworkhelps.com/]write my essays[/url]
    [url=https://helpwithdissertationwriting.com/]writing dissertation service[/url]

    [url=https://ankara-haber.com/battal-yalcinkayadan-bacagina-6-el-kursun/#comment-2247099]technical writer to project manager[/url] be9c4a5

  16. 1
    | Reply

    I neeԀed to tһank you foг this excellent read!! I definitelу
    enhoyеd every little bit of it. Ι have you ƅook marked too look at new stuff you post…

    Feel free to visit my ѕte :: 1

  18. FREE CASH
    | Reply

    Decide funding for the upcoming motor vehicle or refinance with self esteem. Take a look at currently’s car financial loan costs.

    Time for you to first payment: After you offer a product, anticipate a wait duration of all-around 5 times to get money within your checking account on most platforms.

    There’s no justification for working away from money any more. Nicely, many of us mess up in some cases, but there’s no purpose you shouldn’t be able to conjure up a couple of hundred dollars away from slender air for those who’re prepared to get Inventive regarding how to make money.

    Not everyone seems to be courageous adequate to hire out their total residence to your stranger, but even leasing out the spare space can offer a large supply of excess money. You may perhaps meet some attention-grabbing individuals and find yourself enjoying it.

    In the same way, if you’ve attained past success on the planet of entrepreneurialism, your services could be of use to budding business people as well as established business people who want to consider their organization to the subsequent amount.

    Everybody knows that therapy is actually a hugely-expert and hard occupation, although not Lots of people realize it’s shifting online.

    A different crucial element of promoting and advertising is casino starting off a good email promoting system, which helps to keep customers and change prospects.

    You may also make money fast by completing surveys, microtasks, rewards plans, or any of the other simple tips on this checklist. The quantity you’ll get won’t be high, but It’ll be quick.

    In addition to supporting organizations to deal with their social accounts, you’ll be able to give them advice regarding how to sort a protracted-expression social websites strategy.

    Should you aren’t excited about working with a pc all day, Check out a lot of the finest methods to make money offline:

    Engaging in liable gambling with bonus resources and managing them as authentic money can cause greater determination-making along with a simpler reward system.

    Choose in for bonus resources. As many as 50x wagering, recreation contributions differ, max. stake applies, new customers will have to decide in and claim offer in just 24 hrs and use inside thirty days. Geographical Limits and T&Cs

    I’m not sure if it’s intentional or an editorial remark, though the pitch for blogging claims “Is there a topic or subject matter you’re really experienced about and luxuriate in adequate to have the ability to create on it each day For some time?

    That compensation impacts the location and buy by which the manufacturers are offered and is some scenarios may impression the rating that may be assigned to them.

    MONEY
    FREE CASH

    CASINO
    PORN

    SEX
    ONLY FANS

  21. abonnement iptv
    | Reply

    It’s really a nice and useful piece of info.
    I’m glad that you just shared this useful information with us.
    Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

  22. Porn
    | Reply

    Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it,
    you might be a great author. I will make sure to bookmark your blog and may come back someday.
    I want to encourage that you continue your great work, have a nice weekend!

  24. evisa vietnam
    | Reply

    Howdy! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask.
    Would you be interested in trading links or maybe
    guest writing a blog post or vice-versa? My blog covers a lot of the same topics as yours and I believe we could
    greatly benefit from each other. If you might be interested feel free to send
    me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Terrific blog by the way!

  25. 高仿手錶推薦
    | Reply

    I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
    I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.
    I’m quite sure I will learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!

  33. permata4d login
    | Reply

    What’s up to every body, it’s my first pay
    a visit of this weblog; this website includes awesome and actually fine information in support of visitors.

  35. Ottappalam escort
    | Reply

    I just couldn’t depart your site before suggesting that I
    really enjoyed the standard information a person supply to your guests?

    Is gonna be back steadily in order to check up on new posts

  41. Porn
    | Reply

    I’m really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog.

    Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
    Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s
    rare to see a nice blog like this one today.

  45. evisa vietnam
    | Reply

    Every weekend i used to pay a quick visit this website, because i wish for enjoyment, as this this web site conations truly
    nice funny stuff too.

  50. evisa vietnam
    | Reply

    After I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and
    now every time a comment is added I get 4 emails
    with the exact same comment. There has to be a means you can remove me from that service?
    Many thanks!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *