3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 221,346

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.

221346 Responses

  1. bola
    | Reply

    Hello There. I discovered your blog the use of msn. This is a
    very well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read extra of your useful info.
    Thank you for the post. I will definitely comeback.

  6. autospin777
    | Reply

    It’s actually a nice and useful piece of info.

    I’m satisfied that you simply shared this helpful info with us.
    Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

  9. daftar slot gacor
    | Reply

    I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, however good topic.
    I must spend a while finding out more or working out more.
    Thank you for excellent information I used to be on the
    lookout for this information for my mission.

  10. phim sex chịch nhau không che
    | Reply

    Right here is the perfect website for everyone who hopes
    to find out about this topic. You understand a whole lot its
    almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa).
    You certainly put a brand new spin on a subject which has been discussed for a long
    time. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful!

  12. touristrequirements.info
    | Reply

    I just couldn’t leave your web site prior to suggesting that I really
    loved the usual information an individual provide to your guests?
    Is gonna be back regularly in order to investigate cross-check new posts

  13. best forex brokers
    | Reply

    Pretty component of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to
    say that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Anyway I will be subscribing for your augment or even I fulfillment
    you access persistently rapidly.

  14. is fxgt legit
    | Reply

    Hi to all, the contents existing at this website are genuinely remarkable for people experience,
    well, keep up the good work fellows.

  15. xxx mom son fuck HD movies
    | Reply

    Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your
    blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I
    hope you write again very soon!

  16. 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

  19. best bitcoin casinos
    | Reply

    I take pleasure in, cause I found exactly what I used to be taking
    a look for. You have ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day.
    Bye

  23. bokep jilbab terbaru
    | Reply

    I am not sure where you are getting your info, but good
    topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
    Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this information for my mission.

  24. web site
    | Reply

    Can I simply just say what a comfort to discover someone
    that really knows what they’re discussing on the web.

    You actually know how to bring a problem
    to light and make it important. More people ought
    to read this and understand this side of your story.
    I can’t believe you’re not more popular given that you definitely possess the gift.

  26. esta for america
    | Reply

    You actually make it seem really easy with your presentation however
    I find this topic to be actually one thing that I feel I would by no means understand.
    It sort of feels too complicated and extremely vast for me.
    I am having a look ahead on your next post,
    I’ll try to get the hold of it!

  30. 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

  41. african porn
    | Reply

    Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my
    facebook group? There’s a lot of folks that I
    think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know.
    Many thanks

  42. oserdire.com
    | Reply

    I am really enjoying the theme/design of your website.
    Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues?
    A handful of my blog audience have complained about my site not working correctly in Explorer
    but looks great in Opera. Do you have any advice to help fix this problem?

  43. blue salt trick for men
    | Reply

    Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all people you really recognize what you’re
    speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Please also talk over with my web site =).
    We may have a hyperlink trade arrangement among
    us

  46. ユニバーサルマリオ
    | Reply

    Merseyside arable farmer Olly Harrison, an unofficial spokesman for the group, advised MailOnline at this time: ‘By no means earlier than have farmers been so united – sadly it is in anger over this subject and they will not take it mendacity down, especially after the worst harvest ever.

  47. web page
    | Reply

    My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find almost all of your
    post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers
    to write content for yourself? I wouldn’t mind publishing a post or elaborating on a lot
    of the subjects you write about here. Again, awesome blog!

  49. best crypto casinos
    | Reply

    I’ve been surfing online greater than 3 hours as of late, but I by
    no means discovered any interesting article like yours.

    It’s pretty worth sufficient for me. In my
    view, if all website owners and bloggers made good content material as you did, the net
    will be much more useful than ever before.

  50. Lottery Defeater reviews
    | Reply

    Howdy! This blog post couldn’t be written any
    better! Looking through this article reminds me of my
    previous roommate! He always kept preaching about this. I am going to forward this information to
    him. Pretty sure he’ll have a great read. I appreciate
    you for sharing!

Leave a Reply

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