3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 77,180

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.

77180 Responses

  2. plumbing code
    | Reply

    Hello! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay.

    I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.

  5. masterslot69 situs gacor terbaru
    | Reply

    Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
    Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say excellent blog!

  8. Esteban
    | Reply

    It’s awesome to pay a quick visit this site and reading the views of all mates regarding this paragraph, while
    I am also keen of getting familiarity.

  17. The Growth Matrix
    | Reply

    You have made some decent points there. I checked on the internet for additional information about
    the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.

    Feel free to surf to my web site; The Growth Matrix

  18. ngentot nungging
    | Reply

    Link exchange is nothing else however it is simply placing the other person’s blog link
    on your page at proper place and other person will also do similar for you.

  23. 서울 마사지
    | Reply

    I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here frequently. I am quite certain I’ll learn many new
    stuff right here! Good luck for the next!

  26. hey
    | Reply

    You actually make it appear so easy with your presentation however I in finding this topic
    to be actually one thing that I believe I’d by no means understand.

    It seems too complicated and very vast for me.
    I am having a look ahead for your next post, I will try to get the cling of it!

  27. Marietta
    | Reply

    Hey just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading correctly.
    I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve
    tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.

  32. phenq
    | Reply

    I’m extremely impressed with your writing
    skills as well as with the layout on your blog.

    Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
    Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it’s rare to see
    a great blog like this one today.

    Also visit my blog; phenq

  39. viagra
    | Reply

    It’s an awesome paragraph in favor of all the online people; they will obtain benefit from it
    I am sure.

  40. beli rumah jogja
    | Reply

    I do agree with all the ideas you’ve presented in your post. They’re very convincing and can definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are very brief for newbies. Could you please prolong them a bit from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.

  42. Zelda
    | Reply

    Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Finding the time and actual effort
    to produce a great article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and
    don’t seem to get nearly anything done.

  46. hkg99 daftar
    | Reply

    Asking questions are genuinely nice thing if you are not understanding anything fully,
    except this article provides nice understanding yet.

  47. pussy888
    | Reply

    I like the valuable information you provide on your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your blog and take a look at again here regularly.
    I am somewhat certain I will be informed a lot of new stuff right here!
    Good luck for the following!

  48. Kiera
    | Reply

    Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Taking the time and actual
    effort to make a top notch article… but what can I say… I put
    things off a lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.

  50. casino
    | Reply

    Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group?

    There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.
    Please let me know. Thank you

Leave a Reply

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