3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 144,981

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.

144981 Responses

  2. fb88thachthatdecor
    | Reply

    Your style is unique in comparison to other people I’ve
    read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess
    I’ll just bookmark this blog.

  3. Jenny
    | Reply

    Boat Accident Settlement Tools To Ease Your Everyday Lifethe Only Boat Accident Settlement
    Trick Every Individual Should Be Able To boat accident
    [Jenny]

  4. best realtor in west chester
    | Reply

    Greetings from Florida! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to check out your website on my iphone
    during lunch break. I love the knowledge you present here and can’t wait
    to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how
    quick your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G ..
    Anyways, excellent blog!

    Here is my homepage; best realtor in west chester

  5. hkg99
    | Reply

    I am sure this piece of writing has touched all the internet users, its
    really really nice piece of writing on building up new web site.

  6. 문화상품권현금화
    | Reply

    Hello would you mid letting me know which webhost you’re
    utilizing? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers and I muist say this blog loads a lot fastwr then most.
    Can you suggest a good hosting provider at a fair price? Kudos, I appreciate
    it!
    문화상품권현금화

  7. memek basah
    | Reply

    Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it
    seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
    You obviously know what youre talking about, why waste
    your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?

  24. exness mt5 jp
    | Reply

    Hello friend. Let me introduce myself. I am Will Campuzano.
    To solve puzzles is sensational she loves most of all.
    Some time ago he chose to live in New Jersey and his family
    loves it. I am a computer operator but I’ve already applied a different one.

  28. wd808
    | Reply

    We absolutely love your blog and find nearly all
    of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to
    write content for you personally? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or
    elaborating on many of the subjects you write about here.

    Again, awesome website!

  29. best realtor in west chester
    | Reply

    Undeniably consider that which you said. Your
    favourite justification seemed to be at the net the simplest factor to have best realtor in west chester mind
    of. I say to you, I definitely get irked at the same time as people think about concerns that they just don’t
    recognize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and outlined out the entire thing without having side-effects , folks can take
    a signal. Will likely be again to get more. Thank you

  31. Cerys
    | Reply

    Guide To Dangerous Drugs Lawyers: The Intermediate Guide For Dangerous Drugs Lawyers dangerous drugs lawyers – Cerys –

  35. Best Private University
    | Reply

    Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.
    I will make sure to bookmark it and come back
    to read more of your useful information. Thanks
    for the post. I’ll certainly return.

  36. Tyson
    | Reply

    Hi, all the time i used to check web site posts
    here in the early hours in the break of day, since
    i love to find out more and more.

  38. indonesia e visa application
    | Reply

    Hi there! This post could not be written much better! Looking
    through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!
    He always kept preaching about this. I most certainly will send
    this article to him. Pretty sure he’s going to have a good read.
    Thanks for sharing!

  49. AndrewGow
    | Reply

    Советы по сео стратегии продвижению.

    Информация о том как работать с низкочастотными запросами запросами и как их выбирать

    Стратегия по действиям в соперничающей нише.

    Имею постоянных сотрудничаю с несколькими фирмами, есть что поделиться.

    Изучите мой досье, на 31 мая 2024г

    число успешных проектов 2181 только в этом профиле.

    Консультация проходит устно, без снимков с экрана и документов.

    Время консультации указано 2 ч, но по сути всегда на связи без твердой привязки ко времени.

    Как работать с софтом это уже другая история, консультация по использованию ПО обсуждаем отдельно в отдельном услуге, узнаем что нужно при коммуникации.

    Всё спокойно на без напряжения не в спешке

    To get started, the seller needs:
    Мне нужны сведения от телеграм канала для контакта.

    общение только вербально, общаться письменно не хватает времени.

    субботы и Вс нерабочие дни

Leave a Reply

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