3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 111,519

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.

111519 Responses

  1. garbage chute parts
    | Reply

    Wow, awesome blog structure! How lengthy have you been blogging for?
    you made running a blog glance easy. The total glance of your site is
    fantastic, as well as the content material!

  2. aufstellpool oval
    | Reply

    I’m really impressed with your writing skills and also with the
    layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?
    Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one these
    days.

  3. Leila
    | Reply

    Hello it’s me, I am also visiting this web page daily, this web page is in fact
    nice and the people are genuinely sharing fastidious thoughts.

  4. digital cash
    | Reply

    Hey there! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new apple iphone!
    Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts!
    Keep up the great work!

  5. ukraine 2gbps dedicated servers
    | Reply

    Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results.

    If you know of any please share. Cheers!

  8. blondeaiporn.com
    | Reply

    Spot on with this write-up, I actually believe that this site needs much more
    attention. I’ll probably be back again to read through more, thanks
    for the information!

  9. St Andrews taxi
    | Reply

    Hi there, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam responses?
    If so how do you reduce it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?
    I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any
    help is very much appreciated.

  11. 360 fusible link
    | Reply

    Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve have in mind your stuff previous to and you’re
    just extremely wonderful. I actually like what you have received right here,
    certainly like what you are stating and the best way by
    which you say it. You are making it entertaining and you still care for to stay it smart.

    I can’t wait to read much more from you. That is actually a wonderful web site.

  14. ckp.bedzin.pl
    | Reply

    Your style is unique in comparison to other folks I’ve read stuff
    from. Thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just bookmark this site.

  23. truffes noires en tranches et huile de truffe blanche
    | Reply

    With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement?

    My website has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it
    seems a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my authorization. Do you know any techniques to help reduce content from
    being ripped off? I’d really appreciate it.

  24. egypt online visa for sudanese
    | Reply

    Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your
    weblog? My blog is in the very same niche as yours and my users would definitely
    benefit from some of the information you provide here.
    Please let me know if this okay with you. Thanks!

  29. Karine
    | Reply

    If you want to get a good deal from this piece of writing
    then you havee to apply such steategies to your wwon website.

    호텔스닷컴 12월 할인코드 – Karine,

  30. aiporn.loan
    | Reply

    Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web
    site, how could i subscribe for a blog website?
    The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit
    acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright
    clear concept

  36. บาคาร่า99th
    | Reply

    I loved as much as you will receive carried out
    right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following.
    unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside
    case you shield this hike.

  37. Yupoo Belts
    | Reply

    Hi, I do believe this is a great website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may come back
    once again since I book marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.

Leave a Reply

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