3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 103,670

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.

103670 Responses

  1. หวยออนไลน์24ชม
    | Reply

    แพะ ล่าสุด อ่านบล็อกนี้ และรู้สึกตื่นเต้น มาก!
    ข่าวสาร ที่น่าสนใจและ รายละเอียดซึ่ง ครบถ้วน ทำให้ผมได้รับแง่มุม ใหม่ๆ มากมาย ผมชอบกลวิธี ที่คุณทบทวน ประเด็นต่างๆ อย่างลึกซึ้ง และเสนอ แนวคิดที่น่าสนใจ ผมเห็นด้วยในมุมมอง หลายจุดที่คุณกล่าวถึง
    และมองที่เป็นเรื่องที่สำคัญและควรได้รับการทบทวน อย่างจริงจัง
    นอกจากนี้ ผมยังยินดี ความแปลกใหม่ ในการนำเสนอ เนื้อหา การใช้ภาษา ที่ใช้เข้าใจง่าย และการนำเสนอ ที่น่าสนใจ ด้วยเหตุที่ อ่านแล้วรู้สึกสนุก เป็นบล็อกที่ดีเยี่ยม และน่าติดตามอย่างที่สุด
    ขอบคุณ ที่แบ่งปันข้อมูล และมุมมอง ที่น่าสนใจ ผมรอเฝ้าลุ้น ที่จะอ่านบทความอื่นๆ ของคุณในภายหน้า และหวังว่าจะได้มีโอกาส อภิปราย
    ความรู้สึก กับคุณด้วย

    Here is my web blog :: หวยออนไลน์24ชม

  2. dâm dục Blogger
    | Reply

    Hey! I know this is sort of off-topic however I needed to ask.

    Does managing a well-established blog like yours take a large amount of work?
    I’m brand new to running a blog however I do write in my
    diary daily. I’d like to start a blog so I can share my experience and thoughts online.
    Please let me know if you have any kind of suggestions or tips for brand new aspiring blog owners.
    Appreciate it!

  5. bokep indo
    | Reply

    When someone writes an article he/she retains the thought of a user in his/her mind that how a user can know it.

    So that’s why this piece of writing is great. Thanks!

  7. 類の つく 熟語
    | Reply

    Alongside the other well-liked contemporary street: Daring color sings through rooms, defines residing areas, and helps to create detailing, which is often missing in a new design.

  10. slot gacor
    | Reply

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

  12. Live Draw HK Tercepat
    | Reply

    Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this blog.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that “perfect balance” between usability
    and appearance. I must say you have done a superb job with this.
    Additionally, the blog loads super quick for me on Chrome.
    Superb Blog!

    https://w6.livedrawhktercepat.net/

  19. slot minimal deposit 1000
    | Reply

    Admiring the commitment you put into your website and detailed information you provide.
    It’s great to come across a blog every once in a
    while that isn’t the same old rehashed information. Wonderful read!
    I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my
    Google account.

  20. Bing Disney Quiz
    | Reply

    For newest information you have to pay a quick visit the web and on world-wide-web
    I found this web site as a finest web site for most up-to-date updates.

  21. Penyedia Prediksi Terlengkap
    | Reply

    Superb website you have here but I was curious
    if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same topics discussed in this
    article? I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get comments from other experienced individuals
    that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
    Thanks!

    https://w4.pencarihoki.co/

  24. this post
    | Reply

    Hey! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone!
    Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all
    your posts! Carry on the fantastic work!

  25. 住信SBIネット銀行の株価の予想は
    | Reply

    The artists had developed methods of attaining each potential textural impact by way of the knowledgeable software of floor-glass paint and yellow-stain:- babies’ ringlets, outdated males’s beards, silk brocade, dove’s feather, ripe grapes, gold braid, glowing pearls and greasy sheep’s wool might all be painted to real looking perfection by any variety of studios.

  27. slot gacor
    | Reply

    I know this web page provides quality dependent articles and other data, is there any other site which offers these data in quality?

  28. buy tonic greens
    | Reply

    This design is incredible! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained.
    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost
    moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job.

    I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.

    Too cool!

    Visit my website buy tonic greens

  35. kalkulator parlay
    | Reply

    Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you
    access consistently quickly.

  36. этим
    | Reply

    At this time it seems like Expression Engine is the
    preferred blogging platform out there right now.

    (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?

  41. bokep viral
    | Reply

    You really make it appear so easy with your presentation but I in finding this matter
    to be really one thing which I feel I might by no means understand.
    It seems too complicated and extremely huge
    for me. I’m taking a look forward on your next post, I will
    attempt to get the hang of it!

  42. ragnarok easy private server
    | Reply

    Hey! I know this is kinda off topic but I was
    wondering which blog platform are you using for this website?
    I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform.
    I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

    Look at my page; ragnarok easy private server

  45. 復水とは
    | Reply

    Sunil Chhetri began his career with City Membership, a neighborhood membership based mostly in Delhi and joined them throughout the 2001-02 season.

  48. Prediksi HK
    | Reply

    Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
    Anyhow, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and
    checking back often!

    https://w5.prediksihk.icu/

Leave a Reply

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