3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 101,845

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.

101845 Responses

  1. seo netlinking
    | Reply

    Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against
    hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any recommendations?

  2. tonic greens
    | Reply

    My brother recommended I might like this website.
    He was once entirely right. This post truly made my day.
    You can not believe simply how so much time I had spent for this information! Thank you!

    Also visit my blog … tonic greens

  3. Data Result Cambodia
    | Reply

    What i don’t understood is in reality how you are
    no longer really a lot more smartly-liked than you
    may be now. You are so intelligent. You understand thus significantly when it comes to this topic, produced me personally consider it from
    a lot of various angles. Its like men and women are not interested
    unless it is one thing to accomplish with Girl gaga!
    Your personal stuffs great. Always take care of it up!

    https://w5.dataresult.club/

  5. スイカ 小学生
    | Reply

    This automotive will value you greater than $2 million but it surely would not have safety-regulated airbags, making the automotive unlawful to even buy in the United States, not to mention drive.

  9. Nba 중계
    | Reply

    When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time
    a comment is added I get four e-mails with the same comment.
    Is there any way you can remove people from that service?
    Bless you!

  12. Live Draw HK
    | Reply

    Hey! I know this is kind of off-topic however I needed to ask.
    Does operating a well-established blog like yours require a large amount
    of work? I’m completely new to operating a blog but
    I do write in my diary daily. I’d like to start a blog so I will be able to share my personal experience and thoughts online.
    Please let me know if you have any suggestions or tips for brand new aspiring bloggers.
    Appreciate it!

    https://w2.livedrawhk.uno/

  14. More hints
    | Reply

    Having read this I believed it was really enlightening.
    I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this informative article together.
    I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments.
    But so what, it was still worth it!

  15. pro nerve 6 for neuropathy
    | Reply

    Hello there I am so thrilled I found your blog
    page, I really found you by accident, while I was browsing
    on Askjeeve for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like
    to say thank you for a incredible post and a all round entertaining blog (I also
    love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be
    back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the great jo.

    My webpage – pro nerve 6 for neuropathy

  16. slot
    | Reply

    You ought to take part in a contest for one of the greatest sites on the web.

    I will highly recommend this website!

  21. visit site
    | Reply

    Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
    Look advanced to more added agreeable from you!
    By the way, how can we communicate?

  22. australia eta requirements
    | Reply

    Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web
    site and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access
    consistently fast.

  25. sex hamster
    | Reply

    Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website,
    how could i subscribe for a blog website? The account
    helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept

  26. アーリーバード 鳥
    | Reply

    322. A lady in a black gown with a very colourful orange and black bow and matching bonnet stands next to her good friend in a purple gown with a large white bow at her throat, with a matching bonnet.

  27. link bokep
    | Reply

    We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme
    in our community. Your website provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done
    an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful to you.

  31. koitoto
    | Reply

    You need to be a part of a contest for one of the highest quality sites on the web.
    I am going to recommend this blog!

  36. sklep internetowy
    | Reply

    Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely
    long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly
    enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing.
    Do you have any points for first-time blog writers?
    I’d certainly appreciate it.

  41. light novel
    | Reply

    Hey there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have
    any trouble with hackers? My last blog (wordpress)
    was hacked and I ended up losing months of hard work due to no data backup.

    Do you have any solutions to protect against hackers?

  44. ramezan
    | Reply

    When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment
    is added I get three emails with the same
    comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service?
    Bless you!

  45. Porn Sex
    | Reply

    It is in reality a nice and helpful piece of information.
    I’m happy that you simply shared this useful info with us.
    Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

Leave a Reply

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