3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 159,173

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.

159173 Responses

  5. lonte
    | Reply

    Hi there! Quick question that’s totally off topic. Do you know how to make
    your site mobile friendly? My website 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 recommendations, please share. Many thanks!

  6. Free Gift
    | Reply

    Ϝanjtastіc blog! Do youu have anyy sugɡestions foor
    apiring writers? I’m hoping tto start mmy owwn siute soon Ƅuut I’m
    a littl loѕt onn everything. Wuld yoou recommmend stwrtіng witth a
    fre platffoгm liϳke WordPress orr goo forr a
    psid option?Thrre arre soo mamy opfions outt tһeг tnat
    I’m completey confuse .. Anny ideas? Appreciate it!

    Μy weƄpage – Free Gift

  10. best crypto slots
    | Reply

    First of all I want to say wonderful blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.

    I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your head prior to
    writing. I have had a difficult time clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out.
    I truly do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are
    generally wasted simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any recommendations or tips?
    Cheers!

  16. music marketing service
    | Reply

    Wow, incredible weblog structure! How lengthy have you been running
    a blog for? you make running a blog glance easy. The total look of your site is magnificent,
    let alone the content material!

  17. best music marketing
    | Reply

    Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favourite reason seemed to be at the internet the simplest factor to understand of.
    I say to you, I certainly get irked whilst other folks think about concerns that they just don’t realize about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the highest and defined out the whole
    thing with no need side effect , folks could
    take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thank you

  30. BOKEP
    | Reply

    Hello, this weekend is nice for me, since this moment i am reading this impressive educational
    article here at my residence.

  33. koitoto togel
    | Reply

    Excellent blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What web host are you using?
    Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site
    loaded up as fast as yours lol

  34. gtm4oo
    | Reply

    Nice blog right here! Additionally your web site lots up fast!
    What host are you using? Can I am getting your associate hyperlink on your host?
    I desire my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

  35. BOKEP
    | Reply

    It’s remarkable in support of me to have a web site, which is helpful designed for my know-how.
    thanks admin

  36. ngentot pembantu
    | Reply

    Aw, this was an exceptionally good post. Spending some time and actual effort
    to create a very good article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.

  48. 스포츠토토
    | Reply

    An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker
    who had been doing a little research on this. And he in fact bought me lunch simply because
    I discovered it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this….
    Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to talk about this issue here on your web site.

  50. bola hit
    | Reply

    Wow, superb weblog format! How long have you
    ever been running a blog for? you made blogging glance easy.
    The full glance of your web site is fantastic, as smartly as the content material!

Leave a Reply

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