3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 81,002

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.

81002 Responses

  1. sex trẻ em
    | Reply

    Good day! This is my first visit to your blog!
    We are a group of volunteers and starting a new project in a community
    in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on.
    You have done a wonderful job!

  5. KPOPWHOLESALE
    | Reply

    Hi, I do think this is a great web site. I stumbledupon it
    😉 I may return yet aggain since I saved as a favorite it.
    Money and freedom iis the greatest way too change, may
    you be rich and continue to help others.
    KPOPWHOLESALE

  7. online cbt trainings
    | Reply

    Admiring the persistence you put into your blog and in depth information you present.
    It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed information. Excellent read!

    I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  10. lucky jet
    | Reply

    Hi there, always i used to check webpage posts here early in the break of day, for the reason that i love to learn more and more.

  11. lừa đảo
    | Reply

    I am now not positive the place you’re getting your info, however great topic.

    I must spend some time studying more or figuring out more.
    Thanks for magnificent information I used to be looking for this information for my mission.

  12. bokep viral
    | Reply

    I’m really loving the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems?
    A small number of my blog visitors have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera.
    Do you have any solutions to help fix this issue?

  13. sex indo vira
    | Reply

    you’re in reality a excellent webmaster. The site loading velocity is amazing.

    It sort of feels that you’re doing any unique trick. In addition, The
    contents are masterwork. you’ve performed a great
    process in this topic!

  18. XNXX
    | Reply

    Attractive component of content. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to claim that
    I get actually loved account your weblog posts.

    Anyway I’ll be subscribing for your augment or even I fulfillment you get entry to constantly quickly.

  20. {ngentot nungging
    | Reply

    Hello, i think that i saw you visited my weblog thus i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things
    to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!

  25. ngentot anjing
    | Reply

    Good day! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook
    group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content.
    Please let me know. Thank you

  37. xnxx.coml}
    | Reply

    Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in truth used to be a enjoyment account it.
    Look complex to more delivered agreeable from you!
    However, how could we communicate?

  40. Synthwave
    | Reply

    I think this is one of the most important info for me.
    And i am glad reading your article. But want to remark on few general things, The site
    style is perfect, the articles is really
    excellent : D. Good job, cheers

    my blog post … Synthwave

  44. classical recomposed
    | Reply

    Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you
    access consistently quickly.

    Also visit my webpage; classical recomposed

  46. how to prepare frozen cooked lobster
    | Reply

    Does your site have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an email.
    I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
    Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it develop over
    time.

  47. 輪ゴム 指鉄砲
    | Reply

    太田「ブルーリボン賞」監督賞にノミネート”. “太田光、映画監督への挑戦に試練「シナリオがつまらない」”.太田光、ラジオで岡村発言に持論「リスナーを勇気づけたかった」 さまざまな立場の背景を推察【コメント要旨掲載】ORICON NEWS 2020年5月6日配信 2023年6月12日閲覧。 」サンスポ 2023年6月7日配信 2023年6月12日閲覧。 」スポニチアネックス 2022年12月21日配信 2023年11月20日閲覧。太田光「伝説の一日」ダウンタウン漫才を絶賛「おれらにはできない」デイリースポーツ 2022年8月21日配信 2022年9月3日閲覧。漫才が「画期的」と太田光が認める中堅お笑いコンビ Ｍ-１でも「一番面白かった」と評価スポーツ報知 2023年6月17日配信 2023年6月18日閲覧。

  49. bakar77 rtp
    | Reply

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

    Look into my web site – bakar77 rtp

Leave a Reply

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