3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 88,916

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.

88916 Responses

  1. Elegantoto Link
    | Reply

    Pretty section of content. I simply stumbled
    upon your weblog and in accession capital to claim that I get in fact enjoyed
    account your weblog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing in your feeds and
    even I success you access consistently rapidly.

    Stop by my web site: Elegantoto Link

  3. Houston Liposuction
    | Reply

    I blog frequently and I truly appreciate your information.
    The article has truly peaked my interest. I am going
    to take a note of your blog and keep checking for new details about once a week.
    I subscribed to your Feed too.

    My blog – Houston Liposuction

  5. Houston Liposuction
    | Reply

    An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should publish more
    on this subject matter, it may not be a taboo subject but usually folks don’t discuss these topics.

    To the next! All the best!!

    Review my webpage … Houston Liposuction

  7. Hugh
    | Reply

    Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and
    I find It truly useful & it helped me out much.

    I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.

  12. gold ira comparison chart
    | Reply

    Greetings! I’ve been reading your weblog for a while
    now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Huffman Texas!
    Just wanted to say keep up the good work!

  13. Continue
    | Reply

    Paragraph writing is also a excitement, if you be familiar with after that you can write otherwise it is complex to write.

  22. Elegantoto Link
    | Reply

    Hi, I do think this is a great web site. I stumbledupon it ;
    ) I may revisit yet again since i have book marked it.
    Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other
    people.

    Here is my blog Elegantoto Link

  23. m88
    | Reply

    Wonderful beat ! І wіsh tо apprentice while you amend your website, how ⅽɑn i subscribe fоr a blog website?

    Τһe account aided mе a applicable deal. І havе
    been tiny bіt acquainted of tһis yoսr broadcast рrovided
    bright transparent concept

  25. Video mesum anak kecil
    | Reply

    Incredible! This blog looks exactly like my old one!
    It’s on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!

  29. hd porn
    | Reply

    I want to to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every bit of
    it. I have you bookmarked to look at new things you post…

  32. เว็บพนันคาสิโนออนไลน์
    | Reply

    การ ซื้อ “หวยฮานอย” เป็นอีก ตัวเลือก หนึ่งที่ได้รับ ความหลงใหล จาก ชาวไทย ในการ ทำ เมื่อ ไม่แตกต่างจาก การ พนัน หวยรัฐบาลหรือ”หวยลาว” ความน่าสนใจ ของ”หวยฮานอย”คือ การ จัดการลุ้นรางวัล
    ทุกวัน ส่งผลให้ผู้ ลุ้น
    สามารถ ชนะ ได้บ่อยครั้ง และ มีช่องทาง สร้าง รายได้เสริม จากการ ซื้อ หวย

    อย่างไรก็ตาม การ ทำ
    “หวยฮานอย” ก็ไม่ ข้อจำกัด เนื่องจากผู้ ลุ้น บางรายอาจ ลงทุน มากเกินไปหรือ ชอบ การพนัน ซึ่งอาจ
    ทำให้เกิดปัญหาตามมา ต่อ ความสัมพันธ์
    นอกจากนี้ ยังมี โอกาส เรื่อง
    การกระทำที่ผิดกฎหมาย จากผู้ที่ ต้องการผลกำไร
    โดยมิชอบ

    เพื่อให้การ ลุ้น “หวยฮานอย”
    เป็นเพียงการ ลุ้นรับโชค เพื่อความสนุกสนาน และ ไม่ส่งผลกระทบ จึงควรมีการ
    ตรวจสอบ และกำกับดูแล อย่างใกล้ชิด เช่น การ ตั้ง
    ช่วงเวลา ในการ ลุ้น ที่ เพียงพอ รวมถึงการ
    ควบคุม ผู้ ทำผิด ทั้งนี้เพื่อให้การ ลุ้น “หวยฮานอย” เป็นส่วนหนึ่งของการ ใช้เวลา อย่าง ระมัดระวัง และ ไม่ทำให้เกิดปัญหา ผู้อื่น
    ของผู้ เสี่ยง

    Feel free to surf to my page เว็บพนันคาสิโนออนไลน์

  34. pejuang jitu
    | Reply

    slot demo slot demo slot demo
    I enjoy what you guys are usually up too. Such clever work and reporting!

    Keep up the fantastic works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my own blogroll.

  36. betting tips
    | Reply

    Everything is very open with a very clear clarification of
    the challenges. It was really informative. Your website is
    very helpful. Thanks for sharing!

  42. KPOP SUPPLIER
    | Reply

    Thank you a lot for sharing this with all folks you actually recognize what
    you are talkinng approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly also discuss with my wevsite =).
    We ccould have a hyperlink alternate agreement among us
    KPOP SUPPLIER

  43. lottery tonight
    | Reply

    Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your
    stuff previous to and you are just too great. I actually like what you have acquired
    here, certainly like what you are saying and the way in which you say
    it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it
    wise. I can not wait to read far more from
    you. This is actually a great site.

    Review my web blog: lottery tonight

  45. Live Chat
    | Reply

    Hi, i feel that i noticed you visited my blog thus i came to go back the want?.I
    am trying to in finding things to enhance my
    site!I guess its adequate to make use of a few of your concepts!!

  46. Travel Agent
    | Reply

    Wow, superb blog layout! How long have you
    been blogging for? you make blogging look easy.
    The overall look of your website is great, as
    well as the content!

  48. glucofreedom amazon
    | Reply

    I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I believed this submit was once good.

    I don’t realize who you’re however certainly you’re going to a well-known blogger in the event you
    aren’t already. Cheers!

    Also visit my homepage :: glucofreedom amazon

  49. Scatter hitam
    | Reply

    Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or
    guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog based
    upon on the same topics you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience
    would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.

Leave a Reply

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