3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 77,750

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.

77750 Responses

  1. plumbing tools
    | Reply

    Hi everyone, it’s my first visit at this web site, and paragraph is truly fruitful in support of
    me, keep up posting these content.

  4. Karol
    | Reply

    This page certainly has all the information I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.

  7. hey
    | Reply

    I think this is among the such a lot important
    info for me. And i am satisfied studying your article. However should remark on some
    basic things, The website taste is wonderful, the articles is truly excellent :
    D. Good activity, cheers

  12. cbds24.com
    | Reply

    Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your website?
    My website is in the very same area of interest as yours and my visitors would genuinely benefit from some of the information you provide here.
    Please let me know if this alright with you.
    Many thanks!

    Also visit my site: 美女做愛 – cbds24.com –

  18. beli rumah jogja
    | Reply

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

  21. Mitchel
    | Reply

    Right here is the perfect website for everyone who would
    like to understand this topic. You understand a
    whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually will need to…HaHa).
    You certainly put a new spin on a topic that has been written about for years.
    Wonderful stuff, just excellent! http://grassrootsinpower.com/author/aureliamedw/

  27. childhood aggression
    | Reply

    Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog website?

    The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast
    offered bright clear concept

  33. Francisca
    | Reply

    I am really enjoying the theme/design of your blog.
    Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues?
    A few of my blog audience have complained about my blog not operating
    correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome. Do you have any
    tips to help fix this issue?

  35. Jared
    | Reply

    My brother recommended I would possibly like this blog.
    He used to be totally right. This post actually made my day.
    You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info!
    Thank you!

  41. Ile-kosztują-like-na-Instagramie
    | Reply

    Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as
    I provide credit and sources back to your blog? My blog site is in the
    exact same area of interest as yours and my users would really benefit from a lot of the information you present here.
    Please let me know if this okay with you. Cheers!

  42. Leanna
    | Reply

    I’m extremely impressed together with your writing talents
    as well as with the layout for your weblog.
    Is that this a paid subject or did you customize it your self?
    Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare
    to look a great blog like this one these days..

  44. Divorce Coach
    | Reply

    Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this blog loading?
    I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

  45. Sharron
    | Reply

    whoah this blog is wonderful i like reading
    your articles. Stay up the good work! You realize,
    many persons are hunting around for this information, you can aid them greatly.

  46. Rosemarie
    | Reply

    Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like
    you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do
    with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but other
    than that, this is excellent blog. An excellent read. I will definitely be back.

  47. new drugs for ed
    | Reply

    Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your website on my iphone during lunch break.
    I really like the info you present here and can’t wait to take a
    look when I get home. I’m shocked at how fast your blog loaded on my cell phone ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, excellent site!

  48. Rodolfo
    | Reply

    I quite like reading a post that will make people think.

    Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!

  49. Sherman
    | Reply

    Hey there! This is my first visit to your blog!

    We are a team 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 wonderful job!

  50. ngentod sange
    | Reply

    When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added”
    checkbox and now each time a comment is added
    I get three e-mails with the same comment. Is there
    any way you can remove people from that service? Many thanks!

Leave a Reply

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