3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 119,104

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.

119104 Responses

  3. Read Full Article
    | Reply

    Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google,
    and found that it’s truly informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels.
    I will be grateful if you continue this in future.
    A lot of people will be benefited from your writing.
    Cheers!

  9. mumoira-gg
    | Reply

    hi!,I love your writing so a lot! share we keep up a correspondence extra approximately your post
    on AOL? I need an expert on this area to unravel my problem.
    Maybe that’s you! Having a look forward to look you.

  14. Bokep Indonesia
    | Reply

    Hi excellent website! Does running a blog such as this require
    a large amount of work? I have absolutely no understanding of coding but I was hoping to start my own blog in the near future.
    Anyhow, if you have any ideas or techniques for new blog owners please share.
    I understand this is off subject however I simply wanted to ask.
    Appreciate it!

  19. find out
    | Reply

    Hi there to all, the contents present at this web page are genuinely amazing for people experience,
    well, keep up the nice work fellows.

  27. Pol88
    | Reply

    Howdy very cool website!! Guy .. Excellent .. Superb ..
    I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally?
    I am glad to find numerous useful information here in the post, we’d like
    develop more techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing.

    . . . . .

  29. 스타렉스
    | Reply

    May I just say what a comfort to find someone that truly knows what they are discussing over the
    internet. You actually know how to bring an issue to light and make it
    important. More people should read this and understand this side of the
    story. It’s surprising you aren’t more popular because you surely possess the gift.

  34. wykrywanie zdrady
    | Reply

    Today, I went to the beach front with my children.
    I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed.

    There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.

    She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  35. kraken 2krn
    | Reply

    I’m really loving the theme/design of your blog. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility issues?

    A handful of my blog visitors have complained about my site not working correctly in Explorer but
    looks great in Chrome. Do you have any recommendations to help fix
    this issue?

  38. able2know.org
    | Reply

    Finished Reading a Blog Post: A Formal Input to the Comment Section and an Invitation to
    Join “KING855”

    ‘After diligently scrutinizing the blog post, I would like to submit the following response to the discussion .

    Your insights regarding the topic were quite thought-provoking .
    I found myself in alignment with a number of the arguments you brought up .

    It is heartening to see such an stimulating exchange taking
    place .

    If you are keen in deeper examining this topic , I would
    sincerely invite you to become a member of the “KING855” group .
    In that space, you will have the opportunity to interact with kindred spirit individuals
    and delve deeper into these fascinating themes .

    I am confident your involvement would be a valuable enrichment to the discourse .

    Thank you contribution , and I anticipate the possibility of continuing
    this enlightening conversation.

    Have a look at my page online casino social responsibility
    – able2know.org –

  40. B&B Italia Banken
    | Reply

    Hello my family member! I wish to say that this post is amazing, great written and include approximately all vital
    infos. I’d like to peer extra posts like this
    .

  43. indo cair
    | Reply

    I like the valuable info you provide in your articles.
    I will bookmark your blog and check again here frequently.
    I am quite certain I’ll learn lots of new stuff right here!

    Good luck for the next!

  46. Learn More About business and technology consulting
    | Reply

    Lightray Solutions stands as tthe particular pinnacle
    of business and technology consulting, reveed for it is unwavering commitment
    in order to excellence and advancement. Renowned due
    to its unparalleled expertise, Lightray Remedies empowers
    organizations in order to transcend their problems and achieve amazing success.
    Using a focused team off visionary consultants, they build bespoke strategies of which propel businesses forwards in a quickly evolving landscape.

  47. Williamreilm
    | Reply

    Flight attendants share secrets to surviving holiday travel
    порно жесткий анал
    Navigating airports and airplanes can be stressful at the best of times. As millions of travelers take to the skies over the busy holiday period, that inbuilt stress can hit new heights.

    But it doesn’t have to, just ask the world’s flight attendants. If anyone’s got surviving holiday travel down, it’s these aviation experts who fly every day, sometimes multiple times a day.

    To learn from their wisdom, CNN Travel chatted with Florida-based flight attendant Hunter Smith-Lihas, who works as a flight attendant on a major US airline, and veteran Australian flight-attendant-turned-psychologist Liz Simmons, to hear their tips, tricks and aviation secrets.

    Whether you’re flying home for Thanksgiving or heading abroad on a New Year’s Eve getaway, here’s a cabin crew’s guide to surviving the ups and downs of holiday air travel.
    Navigating airports and airplanes can be stressful at the best of times. As millions of travelers take to the skies over the busy holiday period, that inbuilt stress can hit new heights.

    But it doesn’t have to, just ask the world’s flight attendants. If anyone’s got surviving holiday travel down, it’s these aviation experts who fly every day, sometimes multiple times a day.

    To learn from their wisdom, CNN Travel chatted with Florida-based flight attendant Hunter Smith-Lihas, who works as a flight attendant on a major US airline, and veteran Australian flight-attendant-turned-psychologist Liz Simmons, to hear their tips, tricks and aviation secrets.

    Whether you’re flying home for Thanksgiving or heading abroad on a New Year’s Eve getaway, here’s a cabin crew’s guide to surviving the ups and downs of holiday air travel.

  50. Piraproxy
    | Reply

    Nice post. I used to be checking constantly this blog and
    I’m inspired! Extremely helpful information specifically the
    remaining section 🙂 I handle such info much.
    I was looking for this certain information for a very lengthy time.
    Thanks and good luck.

Leave a Reply

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