3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 247,278

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.

247278 Responses

  1. King Billy Casino
    | Reply

    I all the time used to study paragraph in news papers but now as
    I am a user of internet thus from now I am
    using net for articles, thanks to web.

  2. Fast Private Proxies
    | Reply

    I got this website from my friend who shared with me regarding this site and now this time
    I am visiting this web site and reading very informative articles at this time.

  3. online pharmacy klonopin
    | Reply

    You are so awesome! I do not suppose I’ve read through anything like this before.
    So nice to find another person with unique thoughts
    on this issue. Really.. thank you for starting this up.
    This site is one thing that’s needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!

  4. Pumpswap Volume Bot
    | Reply

    It’s in fact very complex in this busy life to listen news on Television, thus I simply use internet for
    that purpose, and get the hottest news.

  8. Proxies For Scrapebox
    | Reply

    Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your
    site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.

  9. online vision test
    | Reply

    Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better!
    Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate!
    He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this article to him.
    Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

  12. helpful hints
    | Reply

    Hello to all, how is all, I think every one is
    getting more from this web site, and your views are fastidious
    designed for new viewers.

  13. xnxx
    | Reply

    It’s not my first time to go to see this web page, i am browsing this web site dailly and get pleasant information from here daily.

  24. mitolyn Reviews
    | Reply

    Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this site.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s challenging to get
    that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appeal.

    I must say that you’ve done a awesome job with this. In addition, the
    blog loads super quick for me on Opera. Exceptional Blog!

  25. Trade 350 App Au
    | Reply

    I’m very pleased to uncover this page. I want to to thank you for your time for this fantastic read!!
    I definitely really liked every little bit of
    it and I have you book marked to check out new stuff in your web site.

  26. link login alternatif
    | Reply

    Generally I don’t read post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to check
    out and do so! Your writing style has been amazed me.

    Thank you, very great post.

  27. image editing service
    | Reply

    Excellent way of describing, and pleasant paragraph to obtain information on the topic of my presentation topic, which i am going
    to deliver in institution of higher education.

  31. bokep indonesia sma
    | Reply

    Thank you for the good writeup. It in truth was a amusement account it.
    Glance advanced to more introduced agreeable from you!
    However, how can we communicate?

  33. Sauce bar
    | Reply

    Hello 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

  35. cewek telanjang
    | Reply

    I’ll right away take hold of your rss as I can’t in finding your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter
    service. Do you have any? Kindly allow me recognise in order that I could subscribe.
    Thanks.

  38. bokep anak sma indonesia
    | Reply

    Thank you, I have recently been searching for info approximately this topic
    for a while and yours is the best I’ve discovered
    till now. However, what about the conclusion?
    Are you positive about the source?

  40. concrete wall sawing
    | Reply

    Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative.
    I am going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if
    you continue this in future. A lot of people will
    be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  41. link casino online scam money
    | Reply

    Thanks for your marvelous posting! I certainly
    enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author. I will make sure to
    bookmark your blog and will eventually come
    back later in life. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great posts,
    have a nice day!

  43. ادرس جدید سایت اس نود
    | Reply

    Greate pieces. Keep posting such kind of information on your
    blog. Im really impressed by your site.
    Hey there, You’ve done a great job. I’ll definitely digg it
    and in my opinion recommend to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this web site.

  46. Click Here
    | Reply

    Remarkable issues here. I’m very glad to see your article.
    Thank you a lot and I’m looking forward to touch you.

    Will you kindly drop me a mail?

Leave a Reply to image editing service Cancel reply

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