3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 241,223

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.

241223 Responses

  5. Swap Lasix
    | Reply

    fantastic issues altogether, you simply gained a new reader.
    What would you suggest in regards to your submit that you
    simply made some days ago? Any positive?

  8. How To Buy Cannabis
    | Reply

    Good web site you have got here.. It’s difficult to find high-quality writing like yours these days.
    I honestly appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!

  9. why not check here
    | Reply

    It’s the best time to make some plans for the future and it’s
    time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to
    suggest you few interesting things or tips. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this
    article. I wish to read more things about it!

  10. gluco6 review reddit
    | Reply

    Have you ever thought about creating an ebook or guest authoring
    on other blogs? I have a blog based on the same ideas
    you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I
    know my subscribers would enjoy your work. If you are
    even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.

  16. order medicine online
    | Reply

    Howdy! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my
    new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog
    and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the great work!

  22. 비아그라 구매
    | Reply

    I know this site gives quality dependent articles or reviews and extra data, is
    there any other web page which gives these kinds of things in quality?

  25. bú lồn em gái
    | Reply

    Today, I went to the beach with my kids.
    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 placed 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 entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  27. navigate to this website
    | Reply

    I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and amusing,
    and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The
    issue is something which not enough people are speaking intelligently
    about. I’m very happy that I stumbled across this in my hunt for something relating to this.

  28. child porn
    | Reply

    Hello! Quick question that’s totally off topic. Do you know how to
    make your site mobile friendly? My web site looks weird when browsing from my iphone
    4. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to fix
    this issue. If you have any recommendations, please share.
    Thank you!

  30. more
    | Reply

    Simply wish to say your article is as surprising.
    The clearness in your submit is simply spectacular and i can assume you’re a professional on this subject.

    Fine along with your permission let me to grasp your RSS feed to keep updated with
    imminent post. Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.

  31. canadian pharmacies
    | 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 placed
    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!

  32. sex cùng gái
    | Reply

    The grieving widow of a worker who died after a pipe exploded at a construction site
    in Sydney has revealed he was a kind-hearted
    Kiwi and keen All Blacks fan.

    Michael Murphy, 49, died of severe head and facial injuries after a high-pressure water pipe burst at the construction site for
    the IMAX Theatre redevelopment in Sydney’s Darling Harbour on Friday.

    His wife of 10 years, Phim Kwan, has told of the devastating moment on Saturday morning when staff at St Vincent’s Hospital told her of her husband’s death. 

    Michael ‘Murf’ Murphy with his wife of 10 years, Phim Kwan. Ms Kwan has told of the devastating moment when St Vincent’s Hospital asked if she wanted to see her husband

    Ms Kwan said the doctors asked if she wanted to see
    him, then told her not to look at her husband’s face, which was covered. 

    ‘I just touched his hand,’ she told the Otago Daily Times.

    Ms Kwan told of how her husband, originally from Auckland, New Zealand, was a kind man who loved
    the All Blacks rugby team.

    He was known to his friends as ‘Murf’, and had a top sense of humour – ‘really
    funny’, she said.

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Previous

    1

    Next

    Tradie dies after a pipe explodes at Sydney’s IMAX Theatre…

    World’s biggest IMAX theatre to be demolished to make way…

    Share this article

    Share

    ‘He was really good to me,’ she said.

    Mr Murphy’s Facebook photos show how much he loved the All Blacks, enjoying a quiet pint at the pub with friends, and travelling
    with his wife. 

    Mr Murphy had lived in Australia for most of his life, most recently in Rose Bay, Sydney. 

    Murf met his wife while on holiday in Thailand. ‘He was really good to me,’ she said
    on Saturday

    He met his wife while on holiday in Thailand.   

    Ms Kwan said the big-hearted tradesman still had family in New Zealand where
    his  father and sister live.

    Another sister was living in Melbourne, she said.

    No decision has yet been made on Mr Murphy’s funeral
    and final resting place, with an uncle flying in from New Zealand
    today.

    NSW Police established a crime scene at the construction site where the pipe exploded on Friday
    and are to prepare a report for the coroner.

    Murf still has plenty of family and friends in New Zealand, and no decision has yet been made on his
    funeral and final resting place 

    The IMAX Theatre development site at Sydney’s Darling
    Harbour where Mr Murphy, 49, was critically injured by a
    suspected exploding water pipe. He later died in hospital

    Safework NSW was also notified after the explosion at
    the site of the old IMAX Theatre which was torn down in 2016 as part of a $700 million redevelopment called The Ribbon.

    Developers Grocon are building the mixed-use development which
    includes a 450-room hotel, 140 serviced apartments,
    retail space and recreational venues.

    In a statement on Friday, Grocon shared their ‘deepest sympathies’ to Mr Murphy’s family and friends.

    ‘Workers on The Ribbon site have been provided with
    access to counselling services,’ a Grocon spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia on Friday.   

    NSW Police declared a crime scene at the site
    and are investigating

  33. gangbang indo
    | Reply

    Hi there colleagues, how is the whole thing, and what you wish for to say concerning this paragraph,
    in my view its actually amazing in support of me.

  35. Online Casino
    | Reply

    After looking ɑt a numbеr ᧐f thе blog articles оn your blog,
    I reallｙ ɑppreciate ʏoᥙr technique of blogging. I saved aѕ a favorite іt
    to my bookmark website list and ԝill be checking back in tһe near future.
    Ꮲlease check օut my website too and let me қnoᴡ ｙoᥙr
    opinion.

    Ηere is mу website – Online Casino

  36. Mantra88
    | Reply

    What’s up to every one, it’s in fact a nice for me to pay a visit this web page, it includes useful Information.

  42. Porn Sex
    | Reply

    Greate post. Keep posting such kind of info on your blog.
    Im really impressed by your site.
    Hello there, You have performed a great job. I will definitely digg
    it and in my view recommend to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this site.

  46. cholonghoa
    | Reply

    Howdy, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just curious if
    you get a lot of spam responses? If so how do you protect against it,
    any plugin or anything you can recommend? I get so much lately
    it’s driving me mad so any assistance is very much
    appreciated. https://cholonghoa.com/ bat dong san tay ninh

  47. xnxx.com
    | Reply

    I’m very pleased to discover this great site.
    I wanted to thank you for your time for this particularly wonderful read!!
    I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it and I have you book-marked to
    see new information on your web site.

Leave a Reply to آبرسان نو آکنه Cancel reply

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