3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 208,675

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.

208675 Responses

  5. Lotto Champ reviews
    | Reply

    I have been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles
    or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this site.
    Studying this info So i am happy to show that I’ve an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I
    came upon exactly what I needed. I most surely will make sure to don?t forget this website
    and provides it a look on a relentless basis.

  6. welcome casino bonus
    | Reply

    Howdy I am so thrilled I found your weblog,
    I really found you by error, while I was looking on Aol for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say kudos for
    a tremendous post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the
    theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at
    the moment but I have book-marked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more,
    Please do keep up the great job.

  17. Mostbet Portugal
    | Reply

    Hello there! This blog post could not be written any better!
    Reading through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!

    He always kept preaching about this. I will send this post to him.
    Fairly certain he will have a very good read. Many thanks
    for sharing!

  18. home remodel edina
    | Reply

    Hi there! I know this is kind of off-topic however I needed to
    ask. Does operating a well-established website such as yours take a
    massive amount work? I am completely new to writing a blog however I do
    write in my journal everyday. I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my experience
    and thoughts online. Please let me know if you have any kind of recommendations or tips for new aspiring bloggers.
    Appreciate it!

  25. SGPTangkas Situs resmi Tangkasnet
    | Reply

    My spouse and I stumbled over here coming from a different website
    and thought I may as well check things out.
    I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to exploring your web
    page for a second time.

  30. uplay77 link alternatif
    | Reply

    You’re so cool! I do not think I’ve truly read anything
    like this before. So good to find someone with some original
    thoughts on this subject. Really.. thank you for
    starting this up. This site is something that is needed on the internet, someone with some originality!

  41. japan porn
    | Reply

    I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess
    over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as
    exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.

  48. Event Management, Aayat The Design Studio, 401 SNS Atria, Vesu Main Road, Surat, Gujarat 395007, Call us at 09818580296, Wedding & Event Planning by Aayat The Design Studio
    | Reply

    Your guide on event planning was incredibly helpful. The section on creating timelines especially stood out.

    Do you find digital tools like apps to be more effective than traditional planners?

    Visit my web page: Event Management, Aayat The Design Studio, 401 SNS Atria, Vesu Main Road, Surat, Gujarat 395007, Call us at 09818580296, Wedding & Event Planning by Aayat The Design Studio

Leave a Reply

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