3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 80,055

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.

80055 Responses

  2. 15 sec porn
    | Reply

    Children May Become Status SYMBOLS & A Good WAY TO RETIRE What claims lots? Kelly suggests. When Kelly advised her therapist she planned on masturbating only every several days, her therapist replied that masturbation will make her wish intercourse, so she need to never do it at all. Your modern society will have a lot additional respectful offspring for the reason that they all know that they have been selected to exist. It will be more regular in this one particular simply because having a child is a selection and not borne from sexual intercourse generate. All these motivators at this time exist in our planet, but will be a lot more prevalent mainly because small children are a acutely aware option alternatively than driven by sexual want. To make it more enticing, traffickers present housing and vacation fees. Because you adore the other human being and consider that you’ll make a superb child alongside one another This appears to be the only motive you accept, but in your planet, the causes over will actually be extra prevalent. The types who do will have a push to make children, and their youngsters and so on. A Possible Lack OF GENETIC Diversity If for some cause, your populace only has a couple in it that are determined to have small children, that indicates that only a couple of will.

  3. tobrut
    | Reply

    I’m not sure where you’re getting your info,
    but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much
    more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic info I was looking for this information for my mission.

    My web-site … tobrut

  4. inverter aircond
    | Reply

    Hey! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after
    reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
    Anyways, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be book-marking and
    checking back frequently!

    Here is my website inverter aircond

  12. top picks reviews
    | Reply

    I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I thought this put up was once great.
    I don’t recognize who you might be but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you happen to
    are not already. Cheers!

  16. discover this info here
    | Reply

    Thanks for some other informative site. Where else could I am
    getting that type of info written in such an ideal way?
    I’ve a venture that I’m just now running on, and I have been on the glance out for such info.

  19. Painters Sydney
    | Reply

    Having read this I thought it was very informative.
    I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put
    this short article together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments.

    But so what, it was still worth it!

  24. USA Script Helpers
    | Reply

    Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea shell
    and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She
    placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it
    pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL
    I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!

    Here is my page; USA Script Helpers

  26. Massage Therapies
    | Reply

    Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your blog?
    My website is in the very same area of interest as yours and
    my users would really benefit from some of the information you
    present here. Please let me know if this alright with you.
    Thanks!

  27. znaczki sklep
    | Reply

    You could certainly see your enthusiasm within the article you write.
    The sector hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid
    to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.

  32. 중국OEM업체
    | Reply

    Having read this I believed it was really enlightening.
    I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this informative article together.
    I once again find myself soending way too much
    time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!

    중국OEM업체

  38. my Fav cam
    | Reply

    For instance, the Arrernte people adhered to a “boy bride” custom made whereby numerous younger adult males, commonly younger than 14 a long time of age, would be presented to more mature grownup guys. What we have noticed are non permanent contracting organizations bringing in personnel as a result of reputable means underneath the auspices of luring folks with the promise of operate so that they can lead a superior life. You can discover additional about how gender affects physiology, psychology and other human features by subsequent the inbound links on the upcoming web page. Men have 6.5 periods extra grey make any difference in their brains than females do. Research into the discrepancies in men’s and women’s brains also appeared to assist the notion that adult males need to be greater at math. Women’s brains also reply a small differently to agony than men’s brains do. It takes a tiny trouble to educate a dog, maybe, but you will obtain that it more than pays in the stop. They’re offering a smorgasbord of talking points, understanding their readers will grab and internalize whatever resonates with them and dismiss the relaxation.” –Chuck Valentine “Fascism is abuse dynamics at the countrywide scale.” –Jonathan Korman “Imageboards probably will not convert you into a nazi but they will make you an individual who will not have solid opinions on something but what they dislike and thinks becoming bitter and offended all the time is humorous and can make you personable.” –@viperwave “A large amount of number concept is figuring out how to sew collectively many distinct this kind of black bins to get some new significant result.

  40. sewa tanaman
    | Reply

    Hey! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group?
    There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate
    your content. Please let me know. Cheers

  41. aircond inverter
    | Reply

    I don’t know whether it’s just me or if perhaps
    everyone else experiencing problems with your site.

    It appears as though some of the text on your posts are running
    off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know
    if this is happening to them as well? This might be a issue with my web browser because I’ve
    had this happen previously. Cheers

    Feel free to visit my page: aircond inverter

  42. Graphic Tees
    | Reply

    My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find many of your post’s to be exactly I’m looking for.
    Would you offer guest writers to write content available for you?
    I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on a lot
    of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome web site!

    Here is my blog post … Graphic Tees

  45. learn the facts here now
    | Reply

    I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
    Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to
    do it for you? Plz reply as I’m looking to design my own blog and
    would like to find out where u got this from.
    kudos

  46. xxx mom son fuck HD movies
    | Reply

    Hey There. I found your weblog the usage of msn. This is a really smartly written article.

    I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info.
    Thanks for the post. I will certainly comeback.

  47. top picks reviews
    | Reply

    Wow, wonderful blog structure! How long have you been blogging for?
    you make running a blog glance easy. The overall look of your site is great, let alone the content!

  48. hardcore sex
    | Reply

    My partner and I stumbled over here different page and thought
    I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now
    i’m following you. Look forward to looking over your web page repeatedly.

    Check out my homepage hardcore sex

Leave a Reply

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