3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 158,963

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.

158963 Responses

  3. web site
    | Reply

    An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a friend who was conducting a little homework on this.
    And he in fact ordered me dinner due to the fact that I found it for him…
    lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
    But yeah, thanx for spending the time to discuss this issue here on your web
    site.

  4. kawi777
    | Reply

    For latest information you have to pay a quick visit internet and on web I found this web page as a finest website for
    newest updates.

  5. therapist near me
    | Reply

    I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
    I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently.

    I’m quite sure I will learn many new stuff right here!
    Best of luck for the next!

    Here is my web-site: therapist near me

  6. fitspresso
    | Reply

    Hello everyone, it’s my first pay a visit at this site, and paragraph
    is really fruitful in support of me, keep up posting these
    posts.

  7. Best crypto airdrop
    | Reply

    Awesome blog! Is your theme custom made or did
    you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with
    a few simple adjustements would really make my blog stand out.
    Please let me know where you got your theme.

    Thank you

    Also visit my website – Best crypto airdrop

  12. Free crypto airdrop
    | Reply

    I’m not sure exactly why but this website is loading incredibly slow for me.

    Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end?
    I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still
    exists.

    Look at my homepage … Free crypto airdrop

  18. mega888 apk
    | Reply

    A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment.
    There’s no doubt that that you ought to publish more
    on this issue, it may not be a taboo matter but typically people
    don’t speak about these topics. To the next! Many thanks!!

  19. Argyle therapists
    | Reply

    I’m more than happy to uncover this great site.
    I want to to thank you for ones time just for
    this fantastic read!! I definitely appreciated every
    little bit of it and i also have you saved as a favorite to see new stuff
    in your web site.

    Here is my web blog: Argyle therapists

  23. therapist near me
    | Reply

    Nice post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog and I’m impressed!
    Extremely useful info particularly the ultimate
    phase 🙂 I take care of such information a lot.
    I was looking for this certain info for a long time.
    Thanks and best of luck.

    Also visit my website :: therapist near me

  24. Argyle counseling
    | Reply

    Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is truly informative.
    I am gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you continue this in future.
    Lots of people will be benefited from your writing.
    Cheers!

    my site: Argyle counseling

  27. What are Solo Ads
    | Reply

    excellent publish, very informative. I wonder why the
    other specialists of this sector don’t understand this.
    You must continue your writing. I am confident, you’ve a
    great readers’ base already!

  33. Free crypto airdrop
    | Reply

    Greetings, I do think your website may be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that,
    excellent site!

    Also visit my homepage … Free crypto airdrop

  46. Best crypto airdrop
    | Reply

    Greetings I am so grateful I found your website, I really found you by accident, while I was searching on Aol for something else, Anyways
    I am here now and would just like to say thanks for a remarkable
    post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to
    read it all at the minute but I have saved it
    and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the awesome job.

    Look at my web page … Best crypto airdrop

  47. Crypto airdrop
    | Reply

    you’re really a good webmaster. The web site loading velocity is
    amazing. It kind of feels that you’re doing any distinctive trick.
    Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a
    excellent activity in this subject!

    Here is my web-site – Crypto airdrop

Leave a Reply

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