3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 145,604

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.

145604 Responses

  2. A片
    | Reply

    Helpful information. Lucky me I found your website by accident, and
    I’m shocked why this twist of fate didn’t took place earlier!
    I bookmarked it.

    Feel free to surf to my blog – A片

  3. Rtp aminototo
    | Reply

    Amino toto
    I like the helpful info you provide in your articles.

    I will bookmark your blog and check again here frequently.
    I’m quite sure I’ll learn a lot of new stuff right here!
    Good luck for the next!

  5. lung clear pro side effects
    | Reply

    This design is steller! You certainly know how to keep a reader
    amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well,
    almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
    Too cool!

    my website … lung clear pro side effects

  9. odilon almeida CEO
    | Reply

    My spouse and I stumbled over here different page and thought I might as well
    check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you.
    Look forward to looking over your web page for a second time.

  19. porn
    | Reply

    What’s up friends, nice article and fastidious arguments commented here, I am actually enjoying by these.

  24. Link roketslot
    | Reply

    Good day! I know this is kinda off topic but
    I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest writing a blog post or vice-versa?

    My blog covers a lot of the same subjects as yours and I
    believe we could greatly benefit from each other. If you happen to be interested feel free
    to send me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from
    you! Great blog by the way!

  27. porn
    | Reply

    Greetings! This is my first visit to your blog!
    We are a group 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 outstanding job!

  34. Read My Post Here
    | Reply

    SMS confirmation is a two-factor authentication (2FA) technique that adds an added level of security to internet profiles. It involves delivering an unique regulation through SMS to the consumer’s signed up mobile number, which the individual needs to get into to verify their identity. This easy however effective process makes certain that just the lawful owner of the mobile number may access the profile or even finish a deal, https://www.tumblr.com/dedektorbursa/752437486823800832/how-does-sms-text-authentication-service-ensure?source=share.

  40. slot thailand
    | Reply

    Hello, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.

    When I look at your blog in Firefox, it looks fine but
    when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, wonderful
    blog!

Leave a Reply

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