Short term missions are not the race

posted in: Missions | 115,761

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.

115761 Responses

  1. analannie

    I really liⅼe readіng tһrough a post that can make men and women think.
    Alѕo, thank you for permitting me to c᧐mment!

  2. Brandi

    If you’re into MILFs, we’ve got something special for you personally. Our Ebony MILFs certainly are a combination of expertise and looks that will blow you aside. They don’t perform things the ordinary way, even though they’re pleasuring themselves, because these black ladies know how to bring the attitude. They know what they want specifically, so simply view as they show off their expert sex and fingering toy dealing with. We’ve got plenty of black-on-black activity too – find BBCs penetrating darkish, fleshy and pink pussies. They could prefer black cocks, but it doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy a whitened one as well. Check out some interracial fucking, with pale skin thrusting against dark cocoa skin. But don’t be concerned, there’s also a lot of movies with two ebony MILFs experiencing one another.https://avitrade.co.ke/harman-kadon-onyx-studio-mini-reviews-experiences/ Watch them eat pussy, have fun with with clits, and scissor each other while dressed to impress.

  3. slot gacor hari ini

    web site slot gacor hari ini yang
    mempunyai beragam metode deposit yang lengkap dan beragam, salah satunya adalah
    sukabet yang sangat efektif. Sukabet sudah dikenal sebagai platform slot yang menghasilkan deposit pulsa
    tanpa potongan. Hanya bersama dengan ongkos sebesar 25 ribu
    rupiah. Anda kini mampu jalankan setoran dan memainkan seluruh permainan slot gacor yang tersedia di situs slot terpercaya Sukabet.
    Jangan hesitasi lagi, langsung mendaftar di sukabet untuk merasakan pengalaman bermain slot yang gratifikasi dengan deposit pulsa tanpa dipotong.

  4. Download

    We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
    Your web site offered us with valuable info to work on. You
    have done an impressive job and our entire community will
    be thankful to you.

  5. flykol

    I think this is one of the most vital information for me. And i am glad reading your
    article. But wanna remark on some general things, The site style is perfect,
    the articles is really nice : D. Good job,
    cheers

  6. daftar ide777

    I got this web site from my friend who informed me
    on the topic of this web site and now this time I am browsing this web
    page and reading very informative articles at this time.

  7. frone

    Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this
    board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much.
    I’m hoping to offer one thing back and help others such as you aided me.

  8. Adolfo

    I relish, lead to I discovered exactly what I was
    taking a look for. You’ve ended my four day lengthy hunt!
    God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye

  9. electrical services near me

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

  10. byatch

    Нi, i thіnk hat i saw you visited my site thus i came to “гeturn the favor”.I’m trying to ind things to improve my website!I
    suppose its ok to use a feᴡ of your ideas!!

  11. demo pragmatic play

    Bukan tanpa alasan kenapa bettor selalu mencermati seperti apa tahapan bermain lebih efektif di
    setiap supplier termasuk pragmatic play. Secara tidak langsung
    seorang bettor pemula bisa merasakan sendiri cara bermain lebih efektif dan tidak ada resiko tinggi.
    Tidak memiliki resiko kekalahan tinggi. Sudah tersedia banyak daftar sport populer dan menghasilkan komisi tinggi.

    Persiapkan dari nilai modal bermain untuk melanjutkan pemilihan sport terbaik yang selalu menawarkan nilai revenue tinggi.
    Dalam hal ini sudah tersedia beberapa poin tepat dimana
    langkah mengatur deposit menjadi bagian penting dalam persyaratan bermain di supplier pragmatic play.
    Dalam hal ini setiap bettor perlu mencermati bagaimana langkah mendaftar member
    resmi secara cermat dan efektif seperti berikut ini.
    Pernyataan dari aturan di dalam situs permainan pragmatic play saat ini sudah mewajibkan bagi semua pemain untuk mendapat standing member resmi.
    He holds a BS in Information and Computer Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is a member
    of the IEEE Computer Society and the ACM.
    Incorporating each the NCTN and NCORP networks, S2302 Pragmatica-Lung
    will use validated knowledge from geographical info techniques and the U.S.

  12. كود خصم غصون وشجون

    عند الضغط على “تنفيذ الطلب”
    لا يمكن إجراء تعديلات على الطلبية.
    تأكد من المأكولات والأطعمة التي طلبتها قبل الضغط على “تنفيذ الطلب”!
    زُر صفحة “عروض المطاعم لتتعرّف على العروض الحصرية وخصومات طلبات على مختلف المأكولات لتوفّر المزيد من المال! كما ويمكنك زيارة صفحة “عروض
    المطاعم” على موقع طلبات Talabat لاكتشاف عروض الخصم الحصرية على مختلف المطاعم في محيطك وتوفّر المال. كما ويتيح لك الموقع الدفع بواسطة بطاقات الائتمان أو بخدمات الدفع الفوري على الإنترنت، أو حتى عند استلام طلبيتك. يقدم تشلدرن صالون Children Salon تشكيلة واسعة من أفخم موديلات الأزياء كما أنه يضم العديد من الماركات العالمية مثل بربري و جيس و فندي و المزيد حيث يمكنك اكتشافها بمنتهى السهولة عند زيارة الموقع أو تحميل تطبيق الجوال . تشلدرن صالون Children Salon يعد من أهم المتاجر الإلكترونية لبيع ملابس الأزياء أونلاين . لماذا عليك التسوق من تشلدرن صالون children salon ؟ لماذا ينصحك موقع الموفر بطلب الطعام عبر الإنترنت من موقع طلبات دوت كوم؟ يوفّر موقع طلبات دوت كوم Talabat خدمة التوصيل على جميع الطلبيات إلى جميع دول مجلس التعاون: الإمارات، السعودية، الكويت، البحرين، عُمان وقطر، بالإضافة إلى الأردن. مأكولات من مختلف الثقافات- موقع Talabat يقدّم مأكولات وأطعمة مختارة من شتّى الثقافات المحلية والعالمية وأفضل المطاعم في محيطك.

  13. Situs Slot

    Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after looking at some of the
    articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I discovered it and
    I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often!

  14. Arsehole

    Ηeya! І’m at work surfing around your blog frdom my new
    apple iphone! Just wanted to say I ⅼove reading thгough your blog and loik
    forward to all your posts! Keep up tһe great work!

  15. relx电子烟

    Hi, i think that i saw you visited my website
    so i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to enhance my website!I suppose itss okk to use some of ylur ideas!!

    Also visit my weebpage :: relx电子烟

  16. N Decking

    Wonderful post however I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject?
    I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
    Thank you!

  17. praca ogrodnik holandia

    Many groups accept as true that they have no
    option to get a personal loan if they have bad credit,
    theres high-quality information for you. These terms includes the date when the
    applicant must repay the loan, price of the loan, fees associated
    with late payments, renewal terms, and the lender and
    borrower’s legal rights. That is where option two
    comes into play for you, the unsecured credit loans.

  18. viva88

    Howdy, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and
    i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam remarks?
    If so how do you reduce it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?

    I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any support is very much appreciated.

  19. MassageTipps

    When I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify
    me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment
    is added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment.
    There has to be a means you can remove me from that
    service? Cheers!

    Also visit my page; MassageTipps

  20. Saigon electric cable

    I’m impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s
    both equally educative andd entertaining, and without a doubt, you’ve
    hit thhe nail on the head. The problem is something that not enough people are speaking intelligenly
    about. I’m very happy I stumbled across this during
    my search for something concerning this.

    my page Saigon electric cable

  21. free screen recorder app

    Hey! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew
    where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

  22. Wilbert

    A bath specialist who is a CBD is thoroughly versed
    in the “again-of-the-wall” facets of design – electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and building, amongst others, as
    well as design principles, drawing methods, construction estimating, and extra.

Leave a Reply

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