3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 248,290

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.

248290 Responses

  5. Situs Bokep
    | Reply

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

  8. Malorie
    | Reply

    هی شما عزیزان، دیوونه‌ی این شدم داستان عاشقش شدم.
    یه وبسایت خبری جذاب دارم که اخبار جذاب و به‌روز داره.
    اگه دنبال خبرهای به‌روز هستی،
    برو ببین.

    My bloɡ post … آمادگی ایران برای سرمایه گذاری در عراق (Malorie)

  11. photographer
    | Reply

    It’s hard to come by knowledgeable people for this topic, but you seem like you know what you’re talking
    about! Thanks

  13. کابینت نئوکلاسیک سفید
    | Reply

    I’m extremely impressed with your writing
    skills as well as with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did
    you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is
    rare to see a nice blog like this one nowadays.

  16. the brain song
    | Reply

    Greate article. Keep writing such kind of information on your site.

    Im really impressed by it.
    Hi there, You’ve done an incredible job.
    I’ll certainly digg it and personally recommend to my
    friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from this web site.

    Look at my blog post the brain song

  18. tubidy
    | Reply

    No matter if some one searches for his essential thing, therefore he/she wishes
    to be available that in detail, so that thing is maintained over here.

  20. WHL file opening softWHLe
    | Reply

    This is where FileViewPro truly shines. With its built-in support for WHL
    files, FileViewPro allows users to open and view the contents of these packages without needing to install them or work within a Python virtual environment.
    Upon opening a WHL file in FileViewPro, the user is presented with a clear and organized display
    of the file’s internal structure. The software accurately interprets the hierarchical layout, making it easy to navigate through directories,
    view metadata, and identify important files such as the package source code, dependencies, and license information.
    This feature is particularly helpful for developers who want
    to audit a package before installing it or for system administrators who need to
    verify package contents for compliance or security purposes.

  22. Quantum Yellow
    | Reply

    That is really fascinating, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your rss feed and look ahead to searching for more of your excellent post.

    Additionally, I’ve shared your website in my
    social networks

  27. gambling
    | Reply

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

  29. Mica license
    | Reply

    Hi there everyone, it’s my first go to see at this site, and piece of writing is actually fruitful in favor of me, keep up posting such articles or reviews.

  32. singapore
    | Reply

    I really love your blog.. Pleasant colors
    & theme. Did you create this amazing site yourself? Please reply
    back as I’m hoping to create my very own website and would like to know where
    you got this from or what the theme is named. Kudos!

  33. digi 995 soundtrack
    | Reply

    Pretty great post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted
    to say that I have really loved browsing your weblog posts.
    After all I will be subscribing on your rss feed and I am hoping you
    write once more very soon!

  40. technology news
    | Reply

    I was curious if you ever considered changing the
    page layout of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
    But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better.
    Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two
    images. Maybe you could space it out better?

  41. Muha meds disposable
    | Reply

    For most up-to-date news you have to pay a quick visit web and on world-wide-web I found this web site
    as a most excellent web site for latest updates.

  42. Microsoft cloud solutions
    | Reply

    I am really loving the theme/design of your weblog.
    Do you ever run into any browser compatibility problems?

    A couple of my blog visitors have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera.
    Do you have any ideas to help fix this problem?

    my webpage; Microsoft cloud solutions

  44. situs alexistogel
    | Reply

    When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and
    now each time a comment is added I get three emails with the same comment.

    Is there any way you can remove me from that service?
    Thanks!

  45. click over here
    | Reply

    I am really loving the theme/design of your weblog.
    Do you ever run into any browser compatibility
    problems? A number of my blog visitors have complained
    about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari.
    Do you have any solutions to help fix this problem?

  46. Online Betting
    | Reply

    Exceptional post һowever , I was wаnting to know if you could wгite
    а litte moｒe on tһis subject? Ι’d be very thankful if
    yοu coսld elaborate a lіttle Ьit furthеr. Cheers!

    Μy blog post Online Betting

  47. Rock & Metal
    | Reply

    For most up-to-date news you have to pay a quick visit world wide web
    and on world-wide-web I found this website as a most excellent site for hottest updates.

  50. esta america
    | Reply

    Hi there, I found your website by means of Google while searching for a similar topic, your website got here up, it appears good.
    I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hi there, just changed into alert to your weblog through Google, and found that
    it’s really informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels.
    I will appreciate if you happen to proceed this in future.
    Many people might be benefited out of your writing.
    Cheers!

Leave a Reply to Albertoheida Cancel reply

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