3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 161,707

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.

161707 Responses

  1. หนังโป้
    | Reply

    I ɡot this web page from my buddy who ѕhared with mе about thiѕ web page and at the moment
    this time I am visiting this wеbsіte and reading very informatіve articles or
    гeviews аt this time.

  3. RobertToulk
    | Reply

    angsa4d
    Instal Perangkat Lunak 888 dan Peroleh Bonus: Instruksi Praktis

    **Perangkat Lunak 888 adalah opsi terbaik untuk Kamu yang mengharapkan aktivitas berjudi daring yang seru dan bermanfaat. Dengan bonus sehari-hari dan opsi menarik, perangkat lunak ini sedia menyediakan keseruan bertaruhan terbaik. Ini manual pendek untuk menggunakan penggunaan Program 888.

    Unduh dan Segera Raih

    Perangkat Terdapat:
    App 888 mampu diambil di HP Android, Sistem iOS, dan PC. Mulailah main dengan cepat di media apa saja.

    Imbalan Setiap Hari dan Hadiah

  5. porn
    | Reply

    It’s gοing tо be ending of mine day, however before finish I am reading
    thіs great piece of writing to іmprove my experience.

  6. two tier links
    | Reply

    We absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post’s to be exactly what I’m looking for.
    Would you offer guest writers to write content for yourself?

    I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a lot of the subjects you write concerning here.
    Again, awesome web log!

  7. เสื้อกันฝน
    | Reply

    I do trust all the ideas you have introduced on your post.
    They’re very convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are very brief for novices.
    May just you please lengthen them a little from subsequent time?
    Thank you for the post.

  10. agen sv388
    | Reply

    What’s up, this weekend is nice in favor of me, because this
    moment i am reading this wonderful educational piece of writing here
    at my house.

  12. SWFL property Realtor
    | Reply

    I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over
    that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly
    again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.

    Also visit my blog post: SWFL property Realtor

  14. bokep terbaru
    | Reply

    I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
    Plz respond as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from.
    thank you

  16. winning303
    | Reply

    It’s genuinely very complicated in this full of activity life to listen news on TV,
    so I simply use web for that purpose, and get the
    newest information.

  21. Tank cleaning nozzles
    | Reply

    Greetings! I’ve been following your web site
    for a while now and finally got the bravery to
    go ahead and give you a shout out from New Caney Texas!
    Just wanted to tell you keep up the great work!

  23. Josie Hale
    | Reply

    Cieszymy się, że biuro podróży meaTRAVEL.pl oferuje tak bogatą gamę atrakcyjnych wycieczek. Jest to doskonała okazja, aby odkryć nowe miejsca i przeżyć niezapomniane przygody

  25. Hokicoy Alternatif
    | 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 several e-mails
    with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service?

    Cheers!

  27. 비아그라 구입
    | Reply

    Having read this I thought it was very enlightening.

    I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this short article together.

    I once again find myself personally spending a
    significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments.
    But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  28. Son
    | Reply

    After going over a number of the blog posts on your web site, I
    truly like your technique of blogging. I book marked it to my bookmark website
    list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my
    web site too and tell me how you feel.

  33. Malaysia fence electric
    | Reply

    Hello! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the
    same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a extraordinary job!

  34. scam
    | Reply

    Thankfulness to my father who informed me regarding this webpage, this web site is in fact remarkable.

  35. Slot Gacor
    | Reply

    Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up and also the rest
    of the website is extremely good.

  36. website
    | Reply

    I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This piece
    of writing posted at this site is genuinely pleasant.

    Here is my webpage: website

  43. XNXX
    | Reply

    I must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog.
    I really hope to see the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well.
    In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my very own website now 😉

  44. cloud couch
    | Reply

    Have you ever considered publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?
    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 visitors would enjoy your work.

    If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e-mail.

    Feel free to visit my web page – cloud couch

  46. demo slot
    | Reply

    obviously like your website however you have to check the spelling on quite a few of
    your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very troublesome to tell the
    truth nevertheless I will surely come back again.

  47. naga169
    | Reply

    Wonderful beat ! I would like to apprentice at
    the same time as you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a weblog site?
    The account helped me a appropriate deal.
    I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided vibrant clear idea

  50. sultanbet88
    | Reply

    Hi there! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog.
    Is it hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal
    but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about creating
    my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any
    ideas or suggestions? Thank you

Leave a Reply

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