3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 79,832

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.

79832 Responses

  1. film online
    | Reply

    Amazing! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a entirely different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Great choice of colors!

  2. help
    | Reply

    Can I simply just say what a relief to find somebody that genuinely understands what they’re talking about over the internet.

    You certainly realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important.
    More people ought to read this and understand this side
    of your story. I can’t believe you’re not more popular since you definitely possess the gift.

  3. bokep barat
    | Reply

    I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish.

    nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following.
    unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.

  4. hey
    | Reply

    Good day! This is my first visit to your blog!
    We are a collection 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 marvellous job!

  6. Canada Pharmacy
    | Reply

    Sweet blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News.

    Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
    I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
    Appreciate it

  7. serubet slot login
    | Reply

    I like what you guys are up also. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my web site :).

  8. memek cantik
    | Reply

    Ahaa, its good conversation on the topic of this piece of writing here at this blog, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting at this place.

  9. best resume writing service 2024
    | Reply

    Somebody necessarily lend a hand to make significantly posts I might state.
    That is the very first time I frequented your website
    page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made
    to create this actual publish amazing. Excellent process!

  10. hey
    | Reply

    Thank you for any other informative web site.
    The place else may I am getting that type of info written in such a perfect method?
    I have a mission that I am simply now operating on, and I have been on the glance out for
    such info.

  14. lexus234
    | Reply

    Hey, you used to write excellent, but the last several posts have been kinda boring? I miss your super writings. Past few posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!

  15. serubet online
    | Reply

    obviously like your web-site but you need to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very bothersome to inform the truth however I will definitely come again again.

  17. hey
    | Reply

    Hey superb blog! Does running a blog similar to this require a great deal of work?

    I’ve no knowledge of computer programming however I had been hoping to start my own blog in the near future.
    Anyhow, if you have any ideas or techniques for new blog owners please share.
    I know this is off topic nevertheless I simply wanted to
    ask. Cheers!

  18. bokep indonesia
    | Reply

    Everyone loves what you guys tend to be up too. This sort of clever
    work and reporting! Keep up the awesome works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to blogroll.

  21. serubet alternatif
    | Reply

    I am extremely impressed along with your writing skills as neatly as with the layout in your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it your self? Either way stay up the nice high quality writing, it is rare to look a nice weblog like this one today..

  22. memek cantik
    | Reply

    Hi to all, the contents present at this web site are genuinely amazing for people experience, well, keep
    up the good work fellows.

  24. tonic greens reviews
    | Reply

    With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement?
    My website has a lot of unique content I’ve
    either authored myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it
    is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know any techniques to help
    protect against content from being ripped off?
    I’d definitely appreciate it.

  26. bokep hd
    | Reply

    My brother suggested I might like this web site.
    He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had
    spent for this info! Thanks!

  29. serubet 888
    | Reply

    Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your site? My blog is in the very same niche as yours and my visitors would certainly benefit from a lot of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this ok with you. Thanks a lot!

  31. tonic greens
    | Reply

    Cool blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?

    A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog stand out.
    Please let me know where you got your design. Thanks a lot

    My blog: tonic greens

  32. bokep barat
    | Reply

    What’s Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled upon this
    I’ve found It positively helpful and it has helped me out loads.

    I am hoping to contribute & help other users like its aided me.
    Great job.

  35. Suits & Blazers - sudarshansaree.com
    | Reply

    Hello! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site
    with us so I came to take a look. I’m definitely loving the information.
    I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Wonderful blog and outstanding design and style.

  38. bokep simontok
    | Reply

    Hello there, I discovered your blog by means of Google while looking for a related matter, your site got here up, it
    appears great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hi there, simply became alert to your blog thru Google, and found that it’s
    truly informative. I’m going to watch out for
    brussels. I will appreciate should you proceed this in future.
    Many folks shall be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  39. Bimbingan Tes SPMB UIN
    | Reply

    Whoa! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!

  40. memek cantik
    | Reply

    My partner and I stumbled over here by a different web address
    and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so
    now i am following you. Look forward to looking at your web page again.

  41. bokep simontok
    | 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 pleasant
    for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
    Superb work!

  42. bokep indo
    | Reply

    Hello, i believe that i noticed you visited my blog so i got here to go back the favor?.I am trying to to find things
    to enhance my website!I assume its ok to use some of your
    concepts!!

  43. bokep jepang
    | Reply

    Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine
    Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains.
    If you know of any please share. Many thanks!

  46. game
    | Reply

    If some one desires to be updated with hottest technologies after that he must be pay a visit this website and be up to date
    daily.

  47. bokep simontok
    | Reply

    Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the
    pictures 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.

  48. bokep jepang
    | Reply

    Hey! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us
    so I came to take a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be
    tweeting this to my followers! Great blog and
    great style and design.

  49. foto bugil
    | Reply

    I know this site offers quality depending content and additional information, is there any
    other web page which provides these information in quality?

  50. california honey
    | Reply

    Hello, i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to improve my website!I
    suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

Leave a Reply

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