3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 149,106

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.

149106 Responses

  3. extra resources
    | Reply

    Howdy! Quick question that’s entirely off topic. Do you know how to make your site
    mobile friendly? My web site looks weird when viewing
    from my apple iphone. I’m trying to find a template or
    plugin that might be able to correct this problem.
    If you have any suggestions, please share. With
    thanks!

    Stop by my site: extra resources

  7. Crypto Hedge Fund
    | Reply

    I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly.
    I’m quite sure I’ll learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!

    Feel free to surf to my web page … Crypto Hedge Fund

  10. website
    | Reply

    Hi there I am so thrilled I found your weblog, I really found
    you by mistake, while I was searching on Aol
    for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say many thanks for a tremendous post and a all
    round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it
    all at the moment but I have saved it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will
    be back to read more, Please do keep up the great work.

  13. Amazon Inauthentic Claims
    | Reply

    Hi there, I found your blog by the use of Google whilst searching for a related subject, your web site came up, it seems great.
    I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hello there, simply changed into aware of your blog via Google, and located that it
    is really informative. I am going to be careful for brussels.

    I will appreciate in the event you continue this in future.

    Many folks will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

    My webpage :: Amazon Inauthentic Claims

  16. Paito Warna Hongkong
    | Reply

    Hi! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog.
    Is it difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not
    very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick.
    I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where
    to begin. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Many thanks

  19. Amazon ASIN Suspension
    | Reply

    Hi there, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i
    was just wondering if you get a lot of spam feedback?

    If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you
    can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any assistance is very much appreciated.

    my web-site; Amazon ASIN Suspension

  24. hanabi88
    | Reply

    Hey there I am so excited I found your site,
    I really found you by error, while I was looking on Aol for something else, Regardless I
    am here now and would just like to say many thanks for a incredible post and a
    all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read
    it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also added your RSS feeds,
    so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the
    excellent job.

  28. Hedge Fund
    | Reply

    Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog
    to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains.
    If you know of any please share. Thank you!

    Feel free to visit my homepage :: Hedge Fund

  29. gacor108 login
    | Reply

    Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the pictures on this blog loading?
    I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
    Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

  30. Crypto Hedge Fund
    | Reply

    Pretty great post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that
    I’ve really loved surfing around your weblog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing for
    your feed and I’m hoping you write once more soon!

    Here is my webpage – Crypto Hedge Fund

  34. hoathanhnha
    | Reply

    Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your
    site and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access
    consistently rapidly.

  42. olxtoto macau,
    | Reply

    Hi, i think that i saw you visited my weblog thus i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to enhance my
    web site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!

  44. vilabet4D
    | Reply

    Yesterdaʏ, while I was at work, mmy sistеr stole my iPad and tested to see if it
    сan survive a 40 foot drop, just sⲟ she can be a youtube sensɑtion. My apple ipad is now destr᧐yed and she has 83 views.
    I know this is еntіrely off topіc but I had tto share it wііth someone!

  46. Crypto Hedge Fund
    | Reply

    It’s the best time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
    I’ve read this submit and if I may I desire to suggest you some interesting issues or tips.
    Maybe you could write next articles regarding this article.
    I wish to learn more issues approximately it!

    Review my web page :: Crypto Hedge Fund

Leave a Reply

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