3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 107,871

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.

107871 Responses

  1. LeslieFar
    | Reply

    Karim Benzema https://karim-benzema.prostoprosport-cz.org je francouzsky fotbalista, ktery hraje jako utocnik za Saudskou Arabii. Arabsky klub Al-Ittihad. Hral za francouzsky narodni tym, za ktery odehral 97 zapasu a vstrelil 37 branek. V 17 letech se stal jednim z nejlepsich hracu rezervy, nastrilel tri desitky golu za sezonu.

  5. Výrobní technologie
    | Reply

    I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website
    yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
    Plz reply as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know
    where u got this from. many thanks

  6. rijbewijs kopen betrouwbaar
    | Reply

    Hi there, I discovered your web site via Google while
    looking for a related subject, your site got here up, it seems to be great.

    I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
    Hello there, just became alert to your weblog through Google, and located
    that it’s really informative. I am gonna be careful for brussels.

    I’ll appreciate if you continue this in future. A lot of folks
    can be benefited out of your writing. Cheers!

    Here is my webpage … rijbewijs kopen betrouwbaar

  12. movie pit sofa
    | Reply

    Do you have a spam issue on this website; I also
    am a blogger, and I was wanting to know your situation; many of us have
    developed some nice procedures and we are looking to exchange solutions
    with others, please shoot me an e-mail if interested.

    Also visit my web blog movie pit sofa

  13. white glove delivery service washington dc
    | Reply

    I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles
    or weblog posts in this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled
    upon this website. Studying this info So
    i’m satisfied to show that I’ve an incredibly good uncanny feeling I found out just what I
    needed. I so much for sure will make certain to don?t disregard this web site and provides it a glance regularly.

  15. 군포출장안마
    | Reply

    Hello, i think that i saw you visited my website thus
    i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things
    to improve my website!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!

  17. kibris gece hayatı
    | Reply

    Thanks for your marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you happen to
    be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will come
    back from now on. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great posts,
    have a nice holiday weekend!

  19. 동탄출장안마
    | Reply

    Hello it’s me, I am also visiting this site daily, this web page is genuinely fastidious and the users are
    in fact sharing good thoughts.

  20. Noticias SP+
    | Reply

    My brother suggested I may like this blog. He was once entirely right.

    This submit actually made my day. You can not imagine just how so much time
    I had spent for this info! Thank you!

  21. cat scratch proof sofa
    | Reply

    I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this kind of area .
    Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this website.
    Reading this info So i am satisfied to convey that I’ve an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what
    I needed. I so much undoubtedly will make certain to don?t overlook this web site and give it a
    look on a continuing basis.

    Feel free to visit my homepage – cat scratch proof sofa

  23. japan porn
    | Reply

    Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you so much, However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS.
    I don’t understand the reason why I am unable to join it.
    Is there anybody else getting similar RSS issues? Anyone that knows
    the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  24. porn
    | Reply

    Thanks in favor of sharing such a pleasant idea, piece of writing is
    nice, thats why i have read it completely

  26. Fashion Life
    | Reply

    I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog.
    It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable
    for me to come here and visit more often. Did
    you hire out a developer to create your theme? Outstanding work!

  28. slot bet receh
    | Reply

    Quality articles or reviews is the important to be a focus for the visitors to go to see the web page, that’s what this
    website is providing.

  29. 중랑구출장안마
    | Reply

    Heya i am for the primary time here. I found this board and I in finding It
    truly useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something again and aid others like you aided me.

  30. kıbrıs gece hayatı
    | Reply

    Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this
    board and I to find It really helpful & it helped me out much.
    I hope to give something again and aid others such as you aided
    me.

  33. Online Child Safety
    | Reply

    Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic however 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 discusses a lot of the same topics as yours and I think we could greatly benefit from each other.
    If you’re interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail.
    I look forward to hearing from you! Fantastic blog by the way!

    Also visit my page :: Online Child Safety

  36. kendra porn
    | Reply

    Hello, There’s no doubt that your website may be having web browser compatibility issues.
    Whenever I take a look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in IE,
    it’s got some overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with
    a quick heads up! Aside from that, wonderful blog!

  37. Traveler
    | Reply

    Good response in return of this matter with firm arguments and explaining all on the topic of that.

  38. phising and scammer
    | Reply

    Hi there all, here every one is sharing these experience, so it’s pleasant to read this blog, and I used to pay a visit this blog
    all the time.

  43. What are the most effective financial investment alternatives for middle class households
    | Reply

    With havin so much written content do you ever run into
    any issues of plagorism or copyright violation?
    My blog has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced
    but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over What are the most effective financial investment alternatives for middle class households web without my agreement.
    Do you know any methods to help prevent content from being ripped off?

    I’d certainly appreciate it.

  49. lottery defeated
    | Reply

    Hi, I do believe this is a great website. I stumbledupon it 😉
    I may come back yet again since I book marked it.
    Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you
    be rich and continue to help other people.

  50. hey
    | Reply

    Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have
    you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy.
    The overall look of your site is excellent, as well as the content!

Leave a Reply

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