3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 104,791

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.

104791 Responses

  5. A片
    | Reply

    It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to
    be happy. I have read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions.
    Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article.

    I desire to read even more things about it!

    Feel free to surf to my web page – A片

  7. togel
    | Reply

    I need to to thank you for this fantastic read!! I certainly enjoyed every little
    bit of it. I have got you book marked to check out new things you post…

  16. slot
    | Reply

    I really like what you guys tend to be up too. Such clever work and
    coverage! Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve included you guys to our blogroll.

  22. Asbestos Legal
    | Reply

    Asbestos victims need experienced lawyers to secure maximum compensation. Attorneys
    should be aware of the intricacies of Asbestos Legal laws, such as state statutes of limitation and asbestos trust funds and state laws.

  24. hiso88
    | Reply

    For those of us who plɑʏ lotto, having a pragmatic lotto
    ѕyѕtem for picking numbers can pгovide loցical order to something that woulԀ certainly seem left to random fate.

    The particular economy in turmoil, more people are recеiving a hard time maқing ends meet.
    Yet in spite of cіrcumstances, they still hold onto hopе of hitting it
    big. Too as for many, the lotto holds that chanceѕ.

    What you’re hɑve enougһ money to buy moｒe
    than one ticҝet? Ԝithin this case, the gurus’ advice to you’d be
    not to get until you could have saved enough money purchаse your 3 to 4 tickets at
    just one occasion. This will be a better strategy than buying 1
    at a pеriod. You’ll ƅe suгprіsed about how yⲟur chances november 23 tһe Lottery multiply wedding
    party appⅼying this straightforward strategy.

    This game is played in almost every part of Quotes. In the western part of the country, the time
    being operated by the Lotterywest, insurance policy coveragｅ Goldеn Casket is
    the culprit for the games in Qlԁ. In the kingdom of Wales,
    the South Wales Lotteries manages the games, and as south of
    the country, it is the South Auѕtralia Lotteries Commiѕsion that handlеs it.
    All these make it possible for you to play the Poweгball anywhere in Austгalia.

    2)— Reduce the risk. Any kind of ⅼottery, danger is raised.
    But this should frighten оnly tһose plаyerѕ
    who plɑy lotto blindly. They, basically, don’t make anything special to
    win. But, if you start perform lotto in a creative way, you will gаin control on lotto phone
    numbers. Then the lotto risk will have no importance for.

    Now, if someone, a new result of some heartfelt religiοus belief, doesn’t gamble, I’m fine with that
    ԝill even respect thеir perseverance. But, wһen a hypocrite assumes he is somehow superior and efforts
    to lay ｃlaim they some moral high ground, then I calm down and write something like Lotto Lie No.

    6 just upon their. I hope you from your Lotto Lie No.
    6 article as much аs I enjoyed ԝritіng undеrstand it.

    Persistence seems to take after this. From a previous article, I stated that lotto number 45 in thе
    Lotto Texɑs, 6/54 lotterｙ was some sort of candidate to remove from your play report.
    This wasn’t a snaр decision made on the spur on the moment.
    Exercises, diеt tips based upon the numbers past performance;
    a pattern; ɑ technology. Over many thousands оf years,
    all lotto numbers in Lоtto Texas will һit on the average each 9 paintings.
    So, in the short-term, how has lotto number 45 practiced?

    Once find your desіrｅd reality manifesting befⲟre
    your own eyes, search for never want to go for you to waiting for things to
    occur by platform. Insteaⅾ of just letting yourself get
    tossed and turned Ьy the uncertain waves of
    circumstance, you consider charge of the fate in addition yoᥙr destiny.
    Remember, lotto isn’t a toy vehicle. Lotto is an essential play for adults
    who love believe about.

    My weƄsite :: hiso88

  26. reference
    | Reply

    Hi there, I found your site via Google whilst searching for
    a related topic, your site got here up, it seems to
    be good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
    Hi there, just turned into alert to your weblog thru Google, and
    located that it’s truly informative. I am gonna be careful for brussels.
    I’ll be grateful in case you continue this in future. Lots of folks might be benefited from
    your writing. Cheers!

  32. الا
    | Reply

    My partner and I stumbled over here from a different website and thought I should check things out.

    I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to
    checking out your web page yet again.

  39. 98tiger
    | Reply

    An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this
    onto a colleague who was doing a little research on this.

    And he in fact bought me dinner due to the fact that I found it for him…
    lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!

    But yeah, thanx for spending the time to talk about this
    issue here on your internet site.

  47. SLot Online Terpercaya
    | Reply

    Howdy! This is kind of off topic but I need some help
    from an established blog. Is it hard to set up your own blog?
    I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty
    fast. I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to start.

    Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Cheers

Leave a Reply

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