3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 83,486

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.

83486 Responses

  1. symphonic electronic
    | Reply

    Hello superb blog! Does running a blog like
    this require a lot of work? I have very little understanding of programming but I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyhow,
    should you have any ideas or tips for new blog owners please share.
    I know this is off subject however I simply had to ask.
    Many thanks!

    Check out my webpage symphonic electronic

  3. driving instructor
    | Reply

    Can I simply say what a comfort to find somebody who truly knows what they are talking about
    on the internet. You certainly understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important.
    More and more people ought to read this and understand
    this side of the story. I was surprised you aren’t more popular given that you
    surely have the gift.

    My web blog: driving instructor

  5. xnxx.com
    | Reply

    I simply couldn’t leave your web site prior to suggesting that I actually loved the
    standard information an individual supply to your guests?

    Is going to be back steadily in order to investigate cross-check new posts

  7. ngentot bu guru
    | Reply

    My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different
    web address and thought I might as well check things out.

    I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to going over your web page for a second time.

  20. ev88
    | Reply

    I read this post fully on the topic of the difference of hottest
    and previous technologies, it’s amazing article.

  23. driving instructor
    | Reply

    I am really enjoying the theme/design of your blog.
    Do you ever run into any browser compatibility problems?
    A handful of my blog audience have complained about my website not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera.
    Do you have any recommendations to help fix this problem?

    Feel free to visit my blog – driving instructor

  24. Porn Sex
    | Reply

    Fantastic post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this topic?
    I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
    Thank you!

  27. ngentot anjing
    | Reply

    After exploring a few of the blog posts on your web site, I honestly like your technique
    of writing a blog. I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my web site too and tell me what you think.

  32. fileforum.com
    | Reply

    Completed Reading a Blog Post: A Formal Feedback to the Comment Section and an Invitation to Join “KING855”

    ‘After meticulously analyzing the blog post,
    I would like to present the following reply to the comment .

    Your perspectives on the topic were quite mind-expanding .
    I was in agreement with many of the arguments you brought up
    .

    It is gratifying to witness such an animated
    debate unfolding.

    If you are inclined in additional exploring this issue , I would warmly urge you to join the “KING855” network .
    In that space, you will have the opportunity to interact with like-minded individuals and dive deeper into these captivating
    themes .

    I believe your contribution would be a meaningful addition to
    the discourse .

    I’m grateful for your remarks, and I look forward to the prospect of continuing this enlightening dialogue .

    Feel free to visit my webpage online casino influencer
    marketing (fileforum.com)

  34. ngentot bareng tante
    | Reply

    My coder is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on several websites for about a year and am worried about switching to another platform.
    I have heard great things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress
    content into it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  36. driving school
    | Reply

    That is really interesting, You are an excessively skilled blogger.
    I have joined your feed and sit up for searching for extra of your great post.
    Additionally, I have shared your website in my social
    networks

    Feel free to visit my page :: driving school

  41. synthpop
    | Reply

    It’s amazing to visit this site and reading the views of
    all mates regarding this post, while I am also keen of getting knowledge.

    Feel free to visit my web-site … synthpop

  42. sex vs gender
    | Reply

    Hey there! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog.
    Is it hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I
    can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have
    any ideas or suggestions? Appreciate it

  44. symphonic electronic
    | Reply

    Hi there I am so grateful I found your site, I really found
    you by accident, while I was looking on Yahoo for something else, Anyways I
    am here now and would just like to say many thanks for a fantastic post and a all round
    entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the minute but I
    have bookmarked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the great b.

    Feel free to visit my webpage: symphonic electronic

  50. 클룩 할인코드 11월
    | Reply

    It’s a shame yyou don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to
    this fantastic blog! I suppose for noow i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed
    to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will talk about this website with my Facebook group.

    Chat soon!
    클룩 할인코드 11월

Leave a Reply

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