3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 83,364

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.

83364 Responses

  2. neo-classical
    | Reply

    It is perfect time to make a few plans for the future and it is time to
    be happy. I have learn this submit and if I may I desire
    to counsel you some interesting issues or suggestions.
    Maybe you can write next articles relating to this article.

    I want to read more issues about it!

    Also visit my blog post … neo-classical

  3. ngentot nungging
    | Reply

    Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you really recognise what you’re talking about!
    Bookmarked. Kindly additionally consult with
    my website =). We could have a hyperlink exchange
    arrangement between us

  9. 山陽バス 三宮
    | Reply

    豊田章一郞（名誉会長）の妻は三井家の出身である。豊田自動織機と共同出資の生産グループもドイツに設立した。 デンソーは、エアコンの生産会社を主要国に次々と設立したのをはじめ、燃料部品装置の生産会社を他国に設立した。綱町三井倶楽部に加盟し、三井二木会にオブザーバーとして参加している。昔の六大企業グループとは、三菱金曜会、三井二木会、住友白水会、一勧三金会、芙蓉会、三和三水会である。

  11. driving test
    | Reply

    naturally like your website however you have to driving test the spelling on several of your posts.
    A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find
    it very bothersome to inform the truth then again I’ll surely come back again.

  14. セコビアゴルフ
    | Reply

    本人によれば「落語より焼きそばを焼くほうがうまいくらい」とのこと。大学では落語研究会に入っており、学園祭の模擬店で焼きそばを焼いていた。西郷は短期間とはいえ、伊藤茂右衛門から陽明学を学んでいる。
    その一方、野蒜地区では民間人の佐藤善文が自宅裏の岩山に10年かけて避難階段と避難小屋を作っていた。 ） 茨城県
    磯山さやか、黒沢かずこ（森三中）、鈴木奈々、渡部豪太、村上健志（フルーツポンチ）、白石美帆、マギー司郎、城之内早苗、カミナリ、デーブ大久保、二子山親方（元・

  15. driving lessons
    | Reply

    Hello There. I discovered your weblog using msn. That is
    a very neatly written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read extra of your useful info.
    Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.

    Look at my site: driving lessons

  16. 在 日本 中国 大使 館
    | Reply

    商業出版版04の2019年1月6日の合同会社ダンジョンパワーズ発足記者会見時ではそれを、R.O.D READ
    OR DIE YOMIKO READMAN “THE PAPER”登場人物の読子・ 『「Mazda RX-VISION」がフランスで最も美しいコンセプトカーに選出』（プレスリリース）マツダ株式会社、2016年1月28日。室谷克実『日韓がタブーにする半島の歴史』新潮社、2010年。

  18. 笑って韓国語
    | Reply

    I think this is one of the most important information for me.

    And i’m glad reading your article. But want
    to remark on some general things, The website style is ideal, the articles is really great
    : D. Good job, cheers

  21. Nu Disco
    | Reply

    Usually I do not read post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to take a look at and do it!
    Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thank you, quite nice article.

    Also visit my website Nu Disco

  29. nhacaiuytinphilipines
    | Reply

    Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I
    stumbleupon on a daily basis. It will always be exciting to read content from other writers and use a little something from other websites.

  31. パキスタン 大統領
    | Reply

    シンガポール市区重建局（編）『JAU : journal of Asian urbanism』、The JAU Office、Fukuoka、2009年9月、4-7,
    36-39、ISSN 1883-6488。 トレスパッサーは戦術核兵器を含む攻撃を受けて6日後に倒され、核爆発によってオークランドに生じた汚染区域は、後に「オブリビオン・

  32. ngentot pembantu
    | Reply

    Just wish to say your article is as surprising.

    The clearness in your post is just spectacular and i can assume
    you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming
    post. Thanks a million and please keep up the rewarding
    work.

  33. symphonic electronic
    | Reply

    Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I definitely
    enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author.I will
    always bookmark your blog and may come back in the foreseeable future.
    I want to encourage continue your great posts, have a nice
    day!

    my web blog … symphonic electronic

  41. mana777
    | Reply

    Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also am a blogger,
    and I was wondering your situation; we have created some nice practices and we are looking
    to trade solutions with other folks, be sure to shoot me an e-mail
    if interested.

  45. synthpop
    | Reply

    I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was curious what all is needed to get setup?
    I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100% sure. Any suggestions or
    advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

    Here is my homepage synthpop

  47. ngentot mantan
    | Reply

    Hi there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if
    you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form?

    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one?

    Thanks a lot!

  49. /index?category=home
    | Reply

    I’m really inspired together with your writing skills as smartly as
    with the layout for your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it your
    self? Anyway stay up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to peer a nice blog like this one today..

  50. bokep ngentot mantan
    | Reply

    What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively useful
    and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & assist other customers like its aided me.
    Great job.

Leave a Reply

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