3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 218,801

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.

218801 Responses

  7. bokep indonesia
    | Reply

    Thanks for another wonderful post. Where
    else may anyone get that kind of info in such an ideal manner of writing?

    I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the
    look for such information.

  9. บาคาร่า
    | Reply

    What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It positively useful and it has helped me out loads.
    I hope to give a contribution & assist other customers like its aided me.
    Great job.

  10. olxtoto
    | Reply

    Why users still use to read news papers when in this technological world everything is
    accessible on net?

  11. opium
    | Reply

    Remarkable issues here. I’m very happy to peer
    your article. Thank you a lot and I am taking a look forward
    to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?

  13. viagra
    | Reply

    Asking questions are in fact good thing if you are not
    understanding anything totally, except this post offers pleasant understanding even.

  14. baca infonya
    | Reply

    naturallｙ like your website however you need too check the spеlling on quitte
    a few of your posts. A number of them are rife ᴡіth spelling issues ɑnd
    I find it very bothersome to inform the reality howеver I ᴡill
    definitely come back again.

  28. Live Draw HK Lotto
    | Reply

    You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I
    find this topic to be actually something which I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I’m looking
    forward for your next post, I will try to get the
    hang of it!

  31. thaisoccer.org
    | Reply

    obviously like your web site however you need to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts.
    Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to
    inform the truth however I’ll certainly come back again.

  34. نی رایس
    | Reply

    I don’t know if it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else
    experiencing issues with your website. It appears as though some of the written text in 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.
    Thanks

  37. Bokep Terbaru Indonesia
    | Reply

    Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?
    I have a blog centered on the same information you
    discuss and would really like to have you share some
    stories/information. I know my readers would appreciate your
    work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel
    free to send me an email.

  39. viagra
    | Reply

    I blog frequently and I seriously appreciate your content.
    Your article has truly peaked my interest.
    I am going to take a note of your blog and keep checking for new
    information about once per week. I opted in for your RSS feed as well.

  40. iptv subscription
    | Reply

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

  43. sexy
    | Reply

    Hi I am so thrilled I found your weblog, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching on Askjeeve for something else,
    Anyways I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a marvelous post and
    a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design),
    I don’t have time to look over it all at
    the moment but I have saved it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will
    be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the fantastic work.

  44. Live Draw Sgp
    | Reply

    In fact no matter if someone doesn’t understand afterward its up to other people
    that they will assist, so here it takes place.

  45. mua bán heroin
    | Reply

    Thanks for your marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you
    are a great author.I will always bookmark your blog and will eventually come back sometime soon. I want to encourage one to continue your great work,
    have a nice day!

  50. penis enlargement
    | Reply

    You could certainly see your enthusiasm within the work you write.

    The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who
    are not afraid to say how they believe. At all times go after your heart.

Leave a Reply

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