3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 189,785

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.

189785 Responses

  3. Willie Crawford
    | Reply

    This post is so helpful! I’ll definitely be looking into https://victor-wiki.win/index.php/%CE%A0%CF%8E%CF%82_%CE%9D%CE%B1_%CE%A0%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%AD%CF%88%CE%B5%CF%84%CE%B5_%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85%CF%82_%CE%A3%CF%89%CE%BB%CE%B7%CE%BD%CF%8E%CF%83%CE%B5%CE%B9%CF%82_%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85_%CE%A3%CF%80%CE%B9%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BF%CF%8D_%CF%83%CE%B1%CF%82_%CE%B1%CF%80%CF%8C_%CE%A3%CE%BF%CE%B2%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%AD%CF%82_%CE%92%CE%BB%CE%AC%CE%B2%CE%B5%CF%82_%CE%BC%CE%B5_%CE%A4%CE%B1%CE%BA%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%AE_%CE%A3%CF%85%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%AE%CF%81%CE%B7%CF%83%CE%B7_%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B9_%CE%91%CF%80%CF%8C%CF%86%CF%81%CE%B1%CE%BE%CE%B7_96049 for my home

  6. Lilly Powell
    | Reply

    If you’re looking for high-quality craftsmanship in home remodeling, I highly recommend checking out Finishing Carpenter Prestige Construction & Home Remodeling. Their attention to detail and dedication to customer satisfaction really sets them apart Floor Installation near me

  7. Telegram网页版
    | Reply

    Telegram官网提供中文版本的Telegram下载。不仅有Telegram网页版、Telegram PC电脑桌面版,还有苹果手机和安卓应用版本可供选择。https://www.whathkapp.com，https://www.linawin.com，https://www.web-skypea.com

  12. keytamin
    | Reply

    Thank you a lot for sharing this with all of us you really
    recognise what you’re talking about! Bookmarked.

    Please also talk over with my website =).
    We could have a hyperlink trade arrangement among us

  17. slot5000.it.com
    | Reply

    Sweet blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
    I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
    Many thanks

  20. SEO TELEGRAM
    | Reply

    Hey there I am so glad I found your blog page, I really found you by mistake,
    while I was searching on Bing for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thanks for a tremendous post and a all round
    exciting blog (I also love the theme/design),
    I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so
    when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the
    fantastic b.

  22. Bokep Pelajar Blora - Foto-foto seks
    | Reply

    Hey there! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us
    so I came to look it over. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Terrific blog and fantastic style and design.

  25. welcome casino bonus
    | Reply

    Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and
    sources back to your weblog? My blog is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my visitors would certainly benefit
    from some of the information you present here. Please let
    me know if this okay with you. Appreciate it!

  29. Warren Strickland
    | Reply

    Skup nieruchomości to idealna opcja dla tych, którzy potrzebują natychmiastowej gotówki za swoją nieruchomość. Dzięki temu procesowi można uniknąć długotrwałych formalności związanych z tradycyjną sprzedażą skup mieszkań

  33. african porn
    | Reply

    I do not know whether it’s just me or if everybody else encountering problems with your site.
    It appears as if some of the text on your posts are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let
    me know if this is happening to them too? This might be a problem with my web browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
    Cheers

  34. Phishing Link
    | Reply

    fantastic put up, very informative. I’m wondering why the opposite specialists of this sector do not realize this.
    You must proceed your writing. I am confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!

  37. african porn
    | Reply

    Excellent website you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics talked about
    here? I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get advice from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest.
    If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Thank you!

  38. Edwina
    | Reply

    Ahaa, its fastidious conversation about this paragraph
    here at this webpage, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting here.

  41. truffes blanches fraîches Tuber Borchii
    | Reply

    Have you ever considered publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs?
    I have a blog centered on the same subjects you discuss and would really like to have you
    share some stories/information. I know my viewers would appreciate your
    work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an email.

  42. PENIPU
    | Reply

    Nice blog here! Also your site loads up fast!

    What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to
    your host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  43. Skype 網頁版
    | Reply

    现在Skype 網頁版提供免費通話、視訊、即時訊息和文件分享功能，讓您輕鬆保持聯繫，隨時隨地共享精彩世界。https://www.telegramppo.com，https://www.whathkapp.com，https://www.linawin.com

  44. nibung88 rtp
    | Reply

    Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha
    plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble
    finding one? Thanks a lot!

  49. welcome casino bonus
    | Reply

    You’re so awesome! I do not suppose I’ve truly read through a single
    thing like that before. So great to discover somebody with
    genuine thoughts on this subject matter. Really.. many thanks for starting
    this up. This website is something that’s needed on the web,
    someone with some originality!

Leave a Reply

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