3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 111,522

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.

111522 Responses

  2. Angkanet
    | Reply

    An interesting discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you ought
    to publish more about this subject matter, it might not
    be a taboo matter but usually people do not discuss these
    topics. To the next! Cheers!!

    http://w2.angkawin.sbs/

  8. login
    | Reply

    I am no longer certain where you’re getting your info, however great topic.

    I must spend some time finding out more or understanding more.
    Thank you for wonderful info I used to be in search of this information for my mission.

  9. japan porn
    | Reply

    I was wondering if you ever thought of changing
    the structure of your site? Its very well written;
    I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little
    more in the way of content so people could connect with it better.

    Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 pictures.

    Maybe you could space it out better?

  11. 비아마켓
    | Reply

    I’ve been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never
    found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth
    enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be much more useful than ever before.

  13. child porn videos
    | Reply

    Link exchange is nothing else however it is simply placing the other person’s weblog link on your page
    at proper place and other person will also do similar for you.

  14. slot gacor
    | Reply

    whoah this weblog is fantastic i love studying your articles.
    Keep up the great work! You already know, many persons are searching round for this info, you can aid
    them greatly.

  16. статті про здоров'я
    | Reply

    Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve visited your blog before but after browsing through
    many of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow,
    I’m certainly pleased I came across it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!

  18. Cara Menghitung Togel Bagi Pemula
    | Reply

    Hello! I know this is sort of off-topic but I needed to
    ask. Does running a well-established website like yours take
    a lot of work? I’m brand new to writing a blog but I do write in my journal everyday.
    I’d like to start a blog so I will be able to share my
    own experience and views online. Please let me know if you
    have any kind of suggestions or tips for brand new aspiring
    blog owners. Thankyou!

    https://w1.tebakangka4d.buzz/

  19. Dnd poker
    | Reply

    Hello, i believe that i saw you visited my blog so i came to go back the choose?.I am trying to find things to enhance my
    site!I suppose its good enough to use some of your ideas!!

  23. jp188
    | Reply

    https://astra2.org/

    Does your site have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to shoot
    you an e-mail. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be
    interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it grow
    over time.

  24. voir ce site
    | Reply

    Ainsi, si l’ensemble des conducteurs adopte
    une conduite responsable, l’entreprise pourra
    bénéficier d’une réduction de sa prime d’assurance.

  30. anime online
    | Reply

    You actually make it seem so easy together with your presentation but I in finding this matter to be really something that I believe I would never understand.
    It kind of feels too complicated and very huge
    for me. I’m having a look ahead to your subsequent publish, I
    will try to get the dangle of it!

  33. Roofing Contractors Near Me
    | Reply

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

  39. dangkyman79club
    | Reply

    My brother suggested I might like this web site.
    He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had
    spent for this information! Thanks!

  41. link paste4d
    | Reply

    hey there and thank you for your info – I have definitely
    picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise some technical points using
    this web site, as I experienced to reload the web site lots of times previous
    to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering
    if your hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement
    in google and could damage your high-quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.
    Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look
    out for a lot more of your respective exciting content.
    Make sure you update this again very soon.

  42. coinex
    | Reply

    coinexiran.com
    This is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.
    Simple but very precise info… Appreciate your
    sharing this one. A must read post!

  45. teen sex videos
    | Reply

    I like the valuable information you supply in your articles.
    I will bookmark your blog and check once more here regularly.
    I am rather certain I’ll be informed plenty of new stuff proper here!

    Good luck for the following!

Leave a Reply

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