3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 64,282

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.

64282 Responses

  1. hey
    | Reply

    always i used to read smaller articles or reviews that as well clear
    their motive, and that is also happening with this piece of writing
    which I am reading now.

  3. คาสิโนออนไลน์ เล่นง่าย ได้เงินจริง
    | Reply

    ความหลงใหล ในการ พนัน
    “หวยลาว” เป็นหนึ่งในกิจกรรมยอดนิยมในประเทศไทย โดยผู้คนจำนวนมากมักจะ ปรารถนา ในการ
    เล่น ด้วยความหวังที่จะได้รับ ความร่ำรวย และ ปรับเปลี่ยน
    ชีวิตของตนเอง

    “หวยลาว” เป็นการพนัน ที่ถูกกฎหมายในประเทศลาว และได้รับ ความสนใจ
    อย่างมากในหมู่ คนไทย โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่งในช่วงเทศกาลสำคัญ ๆ เช่น วันสงกรานต์ วันขึ้นปีใหม่ และช่วงก่อนการออกรางวัลใหญ่ของ”หวยลาว” ผู้คนจะ ต่างเสี่ยง
    เพื่อลุ้นรับ ความร่ำรวย ที่จะ ปรับเปลี่ยน ชีวิตของพวกเขา

    อย่างไรก็ตาม การ เสี่ยง “หวยลาว” ก็ไม่ปราศจากปัญหา
    เนื่องจากบางคนอาจ ปรารถนา การพนันและใช้เงินมากเกินไป
    ส่งผลให้เกิด ผลกระทบ นอกจากนี้ การ
    พนัน “หวยลาว” ยังอาจเป็นช่องทางให้คนบางกลุ่มแสวงหาประโยชน์ โดยมิชอบ ด้วยการ ซ่อนเร้น รางวัลของผู้ชนะ

    แม้ว่าการ ซื้อ “หวยลาว” จะเป็นกิจกรรมที่ถูกกฎหมายและ เป็นที่ชื่นชอบ ในหมู่ พลเมืองไทย แต่ควรมีการ ตัดสิน อย่างใกล้ชิดเพื่อ ลบล้าง ปัญหาที่อาจ ตามหลัง ทั้งนี้ เพื่อให้การ ซื้อ “หวยลาว”
    เป็นเพียงการ เล่นเพื่อความสนุก เท่านั้น และ
    ไม่ส่งผลเสีย ต่อ การเงิน
    ของ ผู้ลุ้น

    Feel free to visit my homepage :: คาสิโนออนไลน์ เล่นง่าย ได้เงินจริง

  5. Williams Expertise in Tax Equity
    | Reply

    Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask.
    Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog article
    or vice-versa? My website goes over a lot of the same topics as yours and I think we could greatly benefit from each other.

    If you might be interested feel free to send me an email.
    I look forward to hearing from you! Wonderful blog by the way!

  17. 팝리니지
    | Reply

    I like the valuable info yoou provide in your articles.

    I will bookmark your weblog and checck again here frequently.
    I am quite certain I’ll learn plenry of new stuff right
    here! Best of luck for the next!
    팝리니지

  18. Zulma
    | Reply

    you’re actually a excellent webmaster. The site loading speed
    is incredible. It sort of feels that you’re doing any
    distinctive trick. Also, The contents are masterpiece.
    you’ve done a great job in this topic!

  24. 화곡동출장마사지
    | Reply

    I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog
    and was curious what all is needed to get set up?
    I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?

    I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100% sure.
    Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Many thanks

  29. wa365bet link alternatif
    | Reply

    I believe what you published made a great deal of sense.
    However, consider this, suppose you were to create a killer headline?
    I am not suggesting your information isn’t good, but what if you added a headline that makes people want
    more? I mean Short term missions are not the race – The Hus Report is
    a little vanilla. You should peek at Yahoo’s front page and
    see how they create news headlines to grab viewers to open the links.

    You might add a video or a picture or two to grab people interested about what you’ve written. In my opinion, it could bring your blog a little bit more interesting.

  30. masterslot69
    | Reply

    Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us you really know what you’re speaking approximately!

    Bookmarked. Kindly additionally talk over with my website =).
    We may have a link exchange arrangement among us

  32. John
    | Reply

    10 Unexpected Examples Of Online Products Tips best online shopping sites in uk
    for clothes – John –

  35. Dann
    | Reply

    Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice while
    you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog site?
    The account aided me a appropriate deal. I have been a little bit familiar of this your
    broadcast provided brilliant clear idea

  36. Lila
    | Reply

    However the Walmart encounter didn’t give police much
    to go on, and after interviewing Martinez, they took no
    additional action.

    Also visit my blog … Personalised jewelry bag for travel [Lila]

  39. choinohubuzz
    | Reply

    These are truly enormous ideas in concerning blogging. You
    have touched some pleasant things here. Any way keep up wrinting.

  43. Situs Scam Berbahaya
    | Reply

    Do you have a spam problem on this website;
    I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have created
    some nice methods and we are looking to swap solutions with others, please shoot me
    an email if interested.

  46. สาระน่ารู้
    | Reply

    You really make it appear so easy along with your presentation however I find this topic to be actually one thing which I believe I would
    by no means understand. It seems too complex and very large
    for me. I am looking forward on your subsequent post, I’ll
    attempt to get the hold of it!

    Also visit my webpage: สาระน่ารู้

  49. Traci
    | Reply

    Heya i am for the primary time here. I came across this board and I to
    find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to present one thing again and help
    others such as you aided me.

  50. hey
    | Reply

    Hi there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers?

    My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing months of hard work
    due to no backup. Do you have any solutions to protect against hackers?

Leave a Reply

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