3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 197,461

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.

197461 Responses

  3. PENIPU ONLINE
    | Reply

    Great blog right here! Additionally your site a
    lot up fast! What host are you the use of? Can I get your affiliate link in your host?
    I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

  4. вавада зеркало
    | Reply

    Thanks for any other informative blog. Where else could I get
    that type of information written in such an ideal method?
    I have a mission that I am simply now operating on, and I have been at the look out for such
    info.

  21. zbrazilia01
    | Reply

    Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea
    shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the
    shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside
    and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL
    I know this is totally off topic but I had
    to tell someone!

    Here is my website zbrazilia01

  23. xe24h
    | Reply

    Hi, I do think this is a great website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I’m
    going to return yet again since I saved as a favorite it.
    Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may
    you be rich and continue to guide other people.

  24. mua ban heroin
    | Reply

    I needed to thank you for this great read!! I certainly enjoyed every little bit of it.
    I’ve got you bookmarked to look at new stuff you post…

  29. dooball90
    | Reply

    Definitely imagine that which you said. Your favourite justification appeared to be on the net the easiest thing
    to have in mind of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while other people think about worries that they plainly do not realize about.
    You controlled to hit the nail upon the top as
    smartly as outlined out the whole thing without having side effect , folks can take a signal.
    Will likely be again to get more. Thank you

  30. Tondratex App
    | Reply

    Hi to every body, it’s my first pay a quick visit of this webpage;
    this web site consists of awesome and really excellent stuff designed for readers.

  34. 31231
    | Reply

    After looking into a handful of the blog articles on your website, I really appreciate your technique of writing a blog.
    I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark website list and will be
    checking back in the near future. Take a look at my website as well
    and let me know your opinion.

  36. webpage
    | Reply

    Nɑtural Moᥙnjaro Alternative Recipe

    Natural Mounjaro Ingredients:

    1 cup of hօt green teа (riсh in antioxіdants and helps speed up
    the metabߋlism).
    1 taЬlespoon of organic apple cider vinegar (helps contrօl appetite and regulate blood sugar).

    1 teaspoon turmeric powⅾer (reduces infⅼammation and
    рromotes fat bսrning).
    1 teasρoon of pure honey (sweetens naturally and provides sustainable enerɡy).

    1 pinch of cayenne peppeг (stimulates metаbоlism and promotes calorie burning).

    Natural Mounjaro Directions:

    Prepare the green tea as normal and let it cool for about 2 minutes.

    Add the apple cider vinegаr, turmeric, honey and cayenne pepper to the ɡreen tea.

    Miх well untіl all the ingreԁients are incorporated.
    Drink the mixture slowⅼy, prеferably іn the morning oｒ before a meal.

    Natural Mounjaro Benefіts:

    Green Tea: Contains catechins that help burn fat.
    Appⅼe cider vinegar: Helps digestion and гegulates insulіn levels.

    Turmeric: Contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflаmmatory and antіoxidant.

    Hߋney: Provides energy and comƅats sugar cravings.

    Cayenne pеpper: Increases thermogeneѕis, helpіng the body to burn moгe calories.

    Feeⅼ free to surf to my ᴡeb-sіte webpage

  40. bảng hiệu gỗ
    | Reply

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

  42. Johnnymup
    | Reply

    bs2best
    Blacksprut Marketplace: Эволюция даркнета или игра на выживание?

    Blacksprut — это один из крупнейших маркетплейсов даркнета, ориентированный на русскоязычную аудиторию. Появление этого сервиса, который действует вне законного поля, связано с упадком других крупных площадок, таких как Hydra. Он быстро набрал популярность благодаря удобству использования, широкому ассортименту и агрессивной маркетинговой стратегии. Но что такое Blacksprut, как он работает и в чем заключается его уникальность?

    История возникновения и контекст
    После того как в апреле 2022 года российские правоохранительные органы закрыли Hydra — крупнейшую нелегальную торговую платформу в даркнете, возник вакуум. Hydra не только предоставляла площадку для торговли запрещенными веществами, но и выполняла роль финтех-центра для теневой экономики с использованием криптовалют. В это время сразу несколько новых маркетплейсов поспешили занять место “упавшего гиганта”. Среди них особо выделяется Blacksprut.

    Blacksprut быстро получил популярность благодаря пользователям, которые искали новую площадку для торговли и покупок, связанных с запрещенными товарами и услугами. Крупнейшие силы маркетплейса были направлены на обеспечение безопасности пользователей и анонимности, что сыграло значительную роль в его успехе.

    Архитектура и функции
    Blacksprut построен на той же архитектуре, что и многие другие маркетплейсы даркнета. Его главные особенности включают:

    Криптовалютные транзакции: Платформа работает исключительно с криптовалютами, включая Bitcoin и Monero, что обеспечивает высокий уровень анонимности как для продавцов, так и для покупателей.
    Системы безопасности: Несмотря на нелегальную природу деятельности, большое внимание уделяется безопасности пользователей. Для этого используются двухфакторная аутентификация, сложные системы шифрования данных и работа через Tor-сеть.
    Ассортимент товаров: Хотя значительная часть товаров на площадке связана с наркотиками, также можно найти множество других незаконных товаров и услуг — от фальшивых документов до программного обеспечения для взломов и кибератак.
    Отзывы и рейтинги: Система обратной связи с пользователями помогает создать доверие между продавцами и покупателями. Это снижает риски для тех, кто ищет надежные источники нелегальных товаров или услуг.
    Почему пользователи выбирают Blacksprut?
    Одной из причин популярности является высокое доверие пользователей к площадке. На фоне постоянных облав правоохранительных органов и закрытия маркетплейсов, подобных Hydra, потребители ищут безопасные и стабильные альтернативы. Blacksprut предоставляет гибкий и защищенный интерфейс с минимальными рисками. Более того, площадка активно совершенствуется и адаптируется под новые вызовы, которые диктует даркнет.

    Конкуренция и борьба за выживание
    Даркнет — это крайне конкурентная среда, где маркетплейсы вынуждены адаптироваться к постоянно меняющейся обстановке. Помимо внутренних факторов, таких как конкуренция среди платформ, на бизнес влияют и внешние угрозы: правоохранительные органы регулярно проводят операции по закрытию таких площадок.

    Blacksprut оказался в числе тех, кто смог выдержать давление и продолжает привлекать пользователей. Тем не менее его будущее зависит от способности адаптироваться к новым угрозам — как со стороны законодательства, так и со стороны конкурентов, которые пытаются перехватить его клиентуру.

    Этические и правовые аспекты
    Появление и деятельность маркетплейсов, подобных Blacksprut, вызывает множество вопросов с точки зрения морали и права. Эти платформы способствуют распространению запрещенных веществ и других опасных товаров, что несет серьезные последствия для общества.

    С другой стороны, для многих пользователей даркнета такие платформы являются способом обхода государственных ограничений и контроля, что поднимает вопрос о свободе личности и правах на приватность в интернете.

    Заключение
    Blacksprut — это яркий пример того, как нелегальная экономика адаптируется и развивается в условиях постоянного преследования со стороны властей. Он быстро заполнил вакуум, образовавшийся после закрытия Hydra, и стал одной из крупнейших русскоязычных платформ в даркнете.

    Однако, как и все подобные площадки, Blacksprut существует в нестабильной среде, и его будущее всегда остается под вопросом. Успех этой платформы во многом зависит от способности руководства управлять рисками, сохранять доверие пользователей и оставаться в тени, несмотря на постоянное внимание со стороны правоохранительных органов.

  44. Nutrition
    | Reply

    Fantastic post! I’ve alays folund weight loss to be a challenging topic,
    butt your advice onn [Health and Fitness, Weight Loss, Nutrition and Diet] simplifies it
    in such a relatable way. I’ve recently started tracking my meals, and it’s been eye-opening.
    Do you have any other tips for creating healthier habits without feeling overwhelmed?

  49. onewave solar water heater Malaysia
    | Reply

    Simply want to say your article is as astounding. The clarity on your put up is simply nice and i can assume you are an expert
    in this subject. Well together with your permission let me to grasp
    your feed to stay updated with forthcoming post. Thank
    you a million and please continue the gratifying work.

Leave a Reply

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