3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 90,086

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.

90086 Responses

  2. titan gel
    | Reply

    Thanks for every other informative website. Where else could I
    get that type of info written in such an ideal means? I have
    a undertaking that I’m just now working on, and I have been on the glance out for such information.

  3. Rosetta
    | Reply

    I’m really loving the theme/design of your blog.
    Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems?
    A couple of my blog audience have complained about my site
    not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox.
    Do you have any solutions to help fix this problem?

  4. 20 slot demo gratis
    | Reply

    Because the multipliers escalate, so does the excitement,
    as gamers watch their winnings soar to new heights with each spin.
    Untuk kamu bisa raih free spin hanya dengan membutuhkan three buah scatter
    yang bisa kamu dapatkan dengan mudah. Untuk mendapatkan akun demo slot bisa langsung masuk ke
    situs slot online terpercaya demo pragmatic play.
    Tentunya dalam artikel ini kami akan membahas seluruh kelebihan demo slot spaceman pragmatic play didalam akun demo slot spaceman.
    Akun demo Pragmatic gacor terbaru kami menggunakan rupiah dan mirip yang asli.
    Banyak orang yang suka bermain di akun slot demo Pragmatic Plat akan tetapi seiring berjalanya waktu.
    Dengan hanya sebagian klik, pemain bisa langsung mengakses berjenis-jenis macam permainan slot
    dari kenyamanan rumah mereka sendiri atau dari mana malahan mereka berada,
    menggunakan perangkat apa malahan yang terhubung ke dunia
    maya. Salah satu supplier terbaik yang menawarkan berbagai macam permainan slot yang
    menarik adalah PG Soft. Slot Demo Anti Rungkad adalah salah satu jenis permainan slot yang
    sedang populer di kalangan pemain judi on-line saat ini.

  9. feetfinder
    | Reply

    Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and
    I’m impressed! Extremely helpful info specially the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot.
    I was looking for this certain information for a long time.

    Thank you and good luck.

  11. bokep ngentot anak smp
    | Reply

    I was recommended this web site through my cousin. I am not certain whether
    or not this submit is written via him as nobody else recognise such
    exact approximately my trouble. You’re incredible! Thank
    you!

  13. 投資家税金
    | Reply

    相手が忍者ではなく剣士なら事実上無能力者に等しい存在であるという事を忘れてはならない。陸上のオリンピック候補にまでなったほどの体力を持つ。救命士とメンタルヘルスカウンセラーの資格を持つ。子供は彼のそばへ走り寄った。既婚者で3人の息子がおり、藤が町山交番に赴任後4人目である娘が生まれる。機動隊出身の柔道の猛者。吉野からは来年で定年退職だと勘違いされていたが、実際は定年まで1年以上あった。現在は休職扱いでリハビリに励んでいる。現在の北九州市八幡東区・

  14. Janell
    | Reply

    Hey! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of
    volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
    Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!

  17. pretty girls
    | Reply

    My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find a lot of your
    post’s to be exactly I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to
    write content available for you? I wouldn’t mind publishing a post or elaborating on most of the subjects
    you write in relation to here. Again, awesome site!

  20. NISA枠の配当金は課税されますか
    | Reply

    “COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES, AUGUST 1945” (英語).

    The Official Chronology of the U.S. USAAF Chronology.
    2018年4月4日閲覧。 Pacific Wrecks. 2018年4月4日閲覧。 HyperWar.
    2013年8月26日閲覧。 2018年2月12日閲覧。秋月達郎 2013, p.木俣滋郎 2014, p.境田 & 高木 2004,
    p.八原博通『沖縄決戦 高級参謀の手記』,
    p. この報酬はこれまで明らかになった中では、日本人最高額である。

  26. Kelvinlob
    | Reply


    Интернет-магазин плитки и керамики «ИнфоПлитка»

    Интернет-магазин керамической плитки и керамогранита «Infoplitka» (infoplitka.ru)
    предлагает широкий ассортимент высококачественной плитки и керамогранита от ведущих производителей.
    Мы стремимся предложить нашим клиентам только лучшее, поэтому в ассортименте представлены товары,
    отвечающие самым высоким стандартам качества и дизайна.

    Мы понимаем, что выбор керамической плитки и керамогранита – это важный этап в создании
    комфортного и стильного интерьера. Поэтому наша команда профессионалов готова помочь вам в
    подборе идеального варианта для вашего проекта. Независимо от того, нужны ли вам плитка
    для ванной комнаты, кухни, гостиной, или же керамогранит для облицовки пола, вы всегда найдете
    у нас разнообразные и актуальные коллекции, соответствующие последним тенденциям в области
    дизайна интерьеров.
    Официальный сайт «ИнфоПлитка»

  27. e visa egypt price
    | Reply

    Excellent website you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics discussed
    in this article? I’d really love to be a part of community where
    I can get suggestions from other experienced people that share the same interest.
    If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Appreciate it!

  31. Ebony
    | Reply

    Superb blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring
    writers? I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but
    I’m a little lost on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for
    a paid option? There are so many options out there that
    I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any ideas? Thanks!

  38. lawas777 slot
    | Reply

    That is very attention-grabbing, You are a very professional
    blogger. I have joined your feed and sit up for in the
    hunt for more of your great post. Additionally, I’ve shared your site
    in my social networks

Leave a Reply

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