3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 78,024

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.

78024 Responses

  4. pocket option robot
    | Reply

    My name is Luigi Peck we can call me anything.
    In his professional life hes a payroll clerk and he’s doing pretty good financially.

    As a man what he really likes is doing interior design but he doesn’t have the time just recently.
    My house is now in Mn.

  13. seo conference Las Vegas
    | Reply

    I think everything published was actually very reasonable.
    But, what about this? what if you added a little content?
    I mean, I don’t want to tell you how to run your blog, however suppose
    you added a title that makes people want more? I mean Short term missions
    are not the race – The Hus Report is a little vanilla.
    You should glance at Yahoo’s home page and see how
    they create article titles to get viewers to open the links.

    You might add a related video or a pic or two to grab
    people interested about everything’ve got to say.
    Just my opinion, it would bring your blog a little livelier.

  15. itspurgepros.com
    | Reply

    Usually I don’t learn post on blogs, however I would like to say that this
    write-up very pressured me to try and do it! Your writing style
    has been surprised me. Thank you, very nice article.

  17. анальный секс смотреть
    | Reply

    Hello would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re utilizing?
    I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most.
    Can you suggest a good hosting provider at a honest price?

    Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!

  20. ngentot anjing
    | Reply

    I blog frequently and I really thank you for your content.
    The article has truly peaked my interest.
    I’m going to take a note of your website and keep checking for new information about once a week.
    I subscribed to your Feed too.

  28. SEORockstars
    | Reply

    I think that what you posted was actually very logical.
    However, consider this, what if you were to create a awesome headline?
    I mean, I don’t want to tell you how to run your blog, but suppose you added a title that grabbed a
    person’s attention? I mean Short term missions are not the race – The Hus Report is a little vanilla.
    You could look at Yahoo’s home page and note how they create news titles to
    get viewers to click. You might add a video or a related pic or two to grab readers
    excited about everything’ve written. Just my opinion, it would make your posts a little livelier.

  31. sitemap
    | Reply

    Hi my friend! I wwant too say tat thjis artixle is amazing, grdat wreitten and come with almoswt alll vital infos.

    I woould likke too look xtra poss like this .

  35. seo conference
    | Reply

    It is appropriate time to make a few plans for the longer term and it is time to be happy.

    I have read this put up and if I may I want to suggest you some
    fascinating things or suggestions. Maybe you can write subsequent articles relating to this article.
    I desire to read even more things about it!

  37. SEORockstars
    | Reply

    Wow, fantastic weblog structure! How long have you ever been blogging for?
    you make blogging look easy. The full glance of your web site
    is fantastic, as well as the content![X-N-E-W-L-I-N-S-P-I-N-X]I simply could
    not depart your website before suggesting that I really
    loved the usual info a person provide for your visitors?

    Is going to be again regularly in order to inspect new posts.

  42. loa vi tính
    | Reply

    I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post
    is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble.
    You’re incredible! Thanks!

  43. seo conference 2024 Las Vegas
    | Reply

    My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be exactly what I’m
    looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content in your case?
    I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you
    write regarding here. Again, awesome web site!

  44. سایت شرط بندی خارجی
    | Reply

    Hello there! This is my first comment here so I
    just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I really enjoy
    reading your blog posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that
    go over the same subjects? Thank you so much!

  46. seo conference
    | Reply

    Hi my family member! I wish to say that this post is amazing,
    great written and come with almost all significant infos.
    I’d like to see extra posts like this .

  47. seo conference
    | Reply

    Wow, fantastic blog format! How lengthy have you
    been blogging for? you made running a blog glance
    easy. The full glance of your web site is great, as well as the content material![X-N-E-W-L-I-N-S-P-I-N-X]I simply could not go away
    your website before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard info an individual supply for your guests?
    Is gonna be back incessantly to check up on new posts.

  50. seo conference 2024
    | Reply

    I wish to point out my love for your kind-heartedness
    giving support to those who really need help on your concept.
    Your real commitment to passing the solution throughout
    has been wonderfully advantageous and have in most cases allowed women just like me to realize their desired goals.
    This invaluable tips and hints can mean much a person like me and even further to my office workers.
    Many thanks; from everyone of us.

Leave a Reply

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