3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 114,306

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.

114306 Responses

  7. 광주역 드림시티
    | Reply

    Eveeything published made a bunch of sense.
    However, whgat about this? suppose you composed a catchier title?
    I am not suggesting yojr content iss not good., however suppose you added
    a headline tto maye get folk’s attention? I mean Shoort term missions are not the race –
    The Hus Report is kinda plain. You ought to glance
    at Yahoo’s front page and watch how tey create article titles to grab people to open the links.
    You migut add a video or a related pic or two to get readers interessted about everything’ve got to
    say. Just my opinion, it might bring your
    posts a little bit more interesting.
    광주역 드림시티

  9. Dick Does Doors
    | Reply

    great publish, very informative. I’m wondering why the opposite experts
    of this sector don’t understand this. You must proceed your writing.
    I’m sure, you have a great readers’ base already!

  20. Myofascial release
    | Reply

    Hi would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with?
    I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a difficult time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.

    The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most blogs
    and I’m looking for something unique.
    P.S Apologies for being off-topic but I had
    to ask!

  22. ngentot pembantu
    | Reply

    Hmm it seems like your blog 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 as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing.
    Do you have any points for inexperienced blog writers?
    I’d certainly appreciate it.

  33. tempat sewa alat berat di tangerang
    | Reply

    I wаs very happy to discover this web site.
    I need to to thank you forr ones time just for this ѡonderful read!!
    I definitely avored every part of it and i also have yyou saved as a favoritе to look at neew things on our website.

  37. online casino user-generated content
    | Reply

    Enthralling and perceptive analysis of the theme. Your analysis was complete and well-substantiated,
    furnishing audience with a thorough grasp of the main issues at possession.

    I may be excited to participate further on this area. If you consent, I would cordially suggest you to join me on the
    SBOBET website, in where we may maintain our discourse in a more participatory context.

    Here is my website – online casino user-generated content

  39. rtp imbaslot
    | Reply

    Artikel ini benar-benar menghibur dan bermanfaat untuk para penggemar slot online.
    Dalam beberapa tahun terakhir, permainan slot online telah mengalami perkembangan yang
    signifikan, terutama dengan adanya teknologi modern seperti grafik 3D,
    efek suara yang realistis, dan tema yang beragam. Semua itu menawarkan pengalaman yang lebih mendalam dan menyenangkan bagi setiap pemain.

    Namun, ada satu aspek yang sering terlupakan adalah pentingnya memilih platform yang aman dan reliable.
    Tidak sedikit peristiwa di mana pengguna dijebak oleh platform abal-abal yang menjanjikan bonus besar, tetapi pada akhirnya hanya
    membahayakan. Oleh karena itu, transparansi dan izin resmi dari platform
    game adalah hal yang wajib dicermati. Salah satu platform
    terkenal yang layak disebut adalah platform Imbaslot, yang terkenal memiliki
    lisensi valid serta mekanisme permainan yang adil dan jelas.

    Di samping itu, sistem RNG (Random Number Generator) menjadi fondasi dari keadilan dalam slot online.
    Namun, tidak semua pemain mengerti cara kerja sistem ini. Banyak yang mengira mereka bisa
    “mengalahkan” mesin slot dengan metode khusus, padahal output setiap putaran sepenuhnya random.
    Imbaslot memastikan bahwa setiap game dijalankan menggunakan RNG yang telah disertifikasi, sehingga pemain dapat menikmati
    permainan dengan tenang tanpa khawatir manipulasi.

    Dari sisi hiburan, slot online memang memberikan sesuatu yang berbeda.
    Ragam konsep seperti petualangan, cerita legenda, atau bahkan kolaborasi dengan film dan budaya populer membuatnya lebih dari sekadar game standar.
    Imbaslot juga menghadirkan berbagai konsep unik yang bisa dinikmati oleh pemain dengan selera beragam, membuat setiap sensasi bermain terasa segar dan memuaskan.

    Namun, ada hal yang juga patut disorot adalah pentingnya tanggung jawab dalam bermain. Dengan aksesibilitas melalui
    gadget mobile dan desktop, ada risiko pengguna terjebak dalam pola bermain yang tidak sehat.
    Imbaslot mendukung permainan yang responsible dengan fitur seperti pembatasan dana, pengaturan waktu bermain, dan panduan bermain secara tepat.

    Secara umum, tulisan ini menyajikan wawasan tentang kompleksitas dan keindahan dunia
    slot online. Akan lebih baik lagi jika di masa depan, ada ulasan mendalam tentang strategi manajemen bankroll,
    efek RTP (Return to Player), dan cara menentukan game yang sesuai dengan gaya bermain individu.

    Terima kasih telah menghadirkan tulisan informatif seperti ini.

    Dunia slot online memang penuh keseruan, tetapi dengan platform
    seperti Imbaslot, pemain dapat merasakan hiburan ini secara aman, adil, dan bijaksana.

  40. minecraft bedrock latest version download
    | Reply

    I have been browsing on-line more than 3 hours these days, yet
    I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It is lovely worth sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all web owners and bloggers made good content material as you probably
    did, the internet will probably be much more useful
    than ever before.

  42. mymissav.cc
    | Reply

    Right noow iit look liike BlogEngibe is the toop
    blogging platfvorm outt there right now. (from whgat I’ve read) Is thjat
    whaat yyou are using onn yojr blog?

  44. ngentot nungging
    | Reply

    I don’t know whether it’s just me or if everybody else experiencing issues with your website.
    It seems like some of the text within your content are running off the screen. Can someone else please provide
    feedback and let me know if this is happening to them too?

    This may be a problem with my web browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
    Kudos

  45. about
    | Reply

    Hi! I’ve been reading your blog for a long time now and
    finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from
    Lubbock Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the fantastic job!

    Also visit my web site :: about

  46. onlyfans
    | Reply

    Potencia Tu Éxito en OnlyFans con Nuestra Agencia Especializada​Administrar una página de OnlyFans
    requiere tiempo y esfuerzo. Desde crear y publicar contenido hasta manejar
    redes sociales y chats, hacerlo todo solo puede resultar en pérdida de ingresos.

    Estamos aquí para ayudarlo a aumentar sus ganancias, simplificar su vida y garantizar
    su tranquilidad, permitiéndole centrarse en su contenido.

  47. cam discounts
    | Reply

    I am really enjoying the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into any
    internet browser compatibility issues? A handful of my blog visitors have complained about my
    website not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari.
    Do you have any recommendations to help fix
    this problem?

Leave a Reply

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