3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 167,478

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.

167478 Responses

  3. apply for e-visa turkey
    | Reply

    Hi, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of
    spam comments? If so how do you reduce it, any plugin or anything you can advise?
    I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any support is
    very much appreciated.

  8. Glenn Dawson
    | Reply

    The statistics shared here regarding diversified kinds of prone awarded by way of close by hairstylists is enormously rewarding; it encourages exploration inside captivating neighborhoods like ours for the period of stunning spaces resembling striking hair salon west vancouver

  9. Nelson
    | Reply

    Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the
    net the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly
    do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the
    whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal.
    Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

  13. mecca bingo online
    | Reply

    No matter if some one searches for his necessary thing, therefore he/she desires to
    be available that in detail, therefore that thing is maintained over here.

  16. Damon
    | Reply

    I am really loving the theme/design of your web site. Do you
    ever run into any web browser compatibility problems? A few of my blog readers have complained
    about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great
    in Chrome. Do you have any recommendations to help fix this issue?

  19. bandar togel
    | Reply

    It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this fantastic blog!
    I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.

    I look forward to new updates and will talk about this blog with my Facebook group.
    Chat soon!

  20. Monique
    | Reply

    What’s Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have
    found It positively helpful and it has aided me out loads.
    I’m hoping to contribute & help other users like its
    aided me. Great job.

  25. Immediate Lotemax
    | Reply

    It’s really a cool and helpful piece of info. I’m happy that you just shared this
    helpful info with us. Please stay us informed like
    this. Thank you for sharing.

  33. togel online
    | Reply

    Incredible! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s
    on a totally different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!

  34. Click here for free money
    | Reply

    I do not even know how I finished up here, but I believed this post was once great.

    I don’t realize who you might be however definitely you’re going to a well-known blogger should you aren’t already.

    Cheers!

  37. slot deposit 3000
    | Reply

    you’re truly a excellent webmaster. The site loading velocity is amazing.
    It sort of feels that you are doing any unique trick.
    In addition, The contents are masterpiece. you have done
    a excellent task on this subject!

  40. lolicon
    | Reply

    you are in point of fact a excellent webmaster.
    The site loading pace is incredible. It sort of feels that
    you are doing any distinctive trick. Moreover, The contents are masterwork.

    you’ve done a wonderful activity in this topic!

  41. Amado
    | Reply

    Terrific post but I was wanting to know if you could write a
    litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
    Cheers!

  43. Masterslot69
    | Reply

    Hi, I believe your site could be having web browser compatibility problems.
    Whenever I take a look at your site in Safari, it looks fine
    but when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues.
    I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up!
    Apart from that, excellent website!

  45. Prostamen Ultra
    | Reply

    I don’t even know how I stopped up here, but I believed this
    put up was great. I do not realize who you might be but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger in case
    you aren’t already. Cheers!

  49. Brenna
    | Reply

    hello there and thank you for your information – I have certainly picked up anything new from right here.
    I did however expertise some technical points using this website, as I experienced to reload the site
    lots of times previous to I could get it to load correctly.
    I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I am
    complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords.
    Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my email and could look out for a
    lot more of your respective intriguing content.
    Ensure that you update this again very soon.

  50. Moses
    | Reply

    Having read this I believed it was very enlightening. I appreciate
    you taking the time and energy to put this short article together.
    I once again find myself spending a significant amount of
    time both reading and leaving comments. But so what,
    it was still worth it!

Leave a Reply

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