3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 84,080

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.

84080 Responses

  3. 冷たい目 好き
    | Reply

    早見優〜!」と言ってのけた。 「雪見涼み作法」篇・社業に専念してレイソルには入団しなかった選手や、日立本社に所属するサッカー愛好家による同好会。日本共産党 (2014年11月).
    2014年12月19日閲覧。日経ラジオ社. 2018年11月11日.
    2023年1月2日閲覧。 24日 – 【サーフィン】 国際サーフィン連盟（ISA）主催の公式大会「World Surfing
    Games」（ アメリカ合衆国・

  4. 競輪グランプリ過去結果配当
    | Reply

    整備）網を構築し、以後の自動車販売業界はここから発展したものである。 ただし、楽天Edyのない楽天ポイントカード機能のみのものは各店舗で無償配布し、そのカードを使って手続きを行う。 “検察「類例ない」、弁護人「重大判断覚悟を」 京アニ事件で量刑審理：朝日新聞デジタル”.
    「100人態勢の被害者支援、即日送検、未曽有事件に異例対応」『産経新聞』産業経済新聞社、2020年5月27日。朝日新聞社 (2019年7月4日).
    2019年7月5日閲覧。

  5. ngewe bareng mahasiswi BEM
    | Reply

    With havin so much content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism
    or copyright infringement? My website has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping
    it up all over the web without my agreement. Do you know any solutions to help reduce content from being
    stolen? I’d certainly appreciate it.

  7. bokep jilat memek
    | Reply

    Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site
    before but after going through many of the articles I realized it’s new to
    me. Anyhow, I’m definitely pleased I stumbled upon it
    and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!

  9. 전담액상
    | Reply

    I hve been exploring for a little ffor any high quality
    rticles or blog posts in this sort of aresa . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upn this web site.
    Studying this info So i am happy to copnvey that I’ve an incredibly
    excellent uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed.
    I most certainly will make sure to do not oomit
    this web site and give iit a glance on a constant basis.
    전담액상

  21. body scrubber
    | Reply

    Hey there! This post couldn’t be written any better!

    Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this.

    I will forward this write-up to him. Pretty sure he will
    have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

    Here is my website: body scrubber

  27. body scrubber
    | Reply

    Hi, i think that i saw you visited my website thus i came to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find things to enhance
    my website!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

    Feel free to visit my blog post – body scrubber

  28. พีจี
    | Reply

    Hello! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask.
    Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa?
    My blog goes over a lot of the same subjects
    as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other.
    If you might be interested feel free to send me an email.
    I look forward to hearing from you! Fantastic blog by the way!

  33. face scrubber
    | Reply

    Thanks for another informative website. Where else may just I am
    getting that type of information written in such an ideal manner?
    I’ve a venture that I’m simply now working on, and I have
    been on the glance out for such information.

    Feel free to surf to my webpage :: face scrubber

  34. silicone face scrubber
    | Reply

    I have been browsing online greater than three hours lately, but
    I by no means discovered any interesting article like yours.
    It’s beautiful value enough for me. In my view, if all site owners and bloggers made just right content as you probably did, the web will probably be a lot more helpful than ever
    before.

    Also visit my page :: silicone face scrubber

  37. face exfoliator scrubber
    | Reply

    First off I want to say wonderful blog! I had a quick
    question that I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
    I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear your thoughts before writing.
    I’ve had trouble clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out there.
    I truly do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are generally wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or
    tips? Kudos!

    my web blog: face exfoliator scrubber

  38. 출장마사지
    | Reply

    Hi there, always i used to check web site posts here in the
    early hours in the morning, for the reason that i enjoy to gain knowledge of more and more.

  39. electric fence Malaysia
    | Reply

    I do not know whether it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing problems with your website.
    It appears as though some of the written text within your posts are
    running off the screen. Can someone else please provide
    feedback and let me know if this is happening to them
    too? This could be a issue with my browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
    Many thanks

  42. 온라인카지노
    | Reply

    Greetings! I know this is kind of off topic but I was
    wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

  43. interventional clinic
    | Reply

    I have been browsing online greater than three hours
    as of late, yet I by no means discovered any interesting article like yours.
    It’s beautiful worth sufficient for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made excellent content as
    you probably did, the net will probably be much more useful than ever before.

  46. silicone body scrubber
    | 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% certain. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Cheers

    Look at my web site … silicone body scrubber

Leave a Reply

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