3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 81,465

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.

81465 Responses

  7. emaux swimming pool pump
    | Reply

    I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog.
    I really hope to view the same high-grade content by you in the future as
    well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal blog now 😉

  10. fb88ec
    | Reply

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

  12. Asphalt Paving
    | Reply

    Looking for reliable asphalt paving? Paterson Asphalt Paving
    delivers top-notch service with quality materials and expert craftsmanship.

    Their attention to detail ensures a smooth and durable finish for every project.
    Thank you!

  13. brother and sister tattoos funny
    | Reply

    Group outbreaks confirmed in the United States. In mid-2009 Halfbrick held a contest by
    which community members might design their very own Raskull based on a
    template given by Halfbrick. Unlike ballplayers, major league umpires aren’t
    precisely pampered.

  15. truffes et nos champignons séchés
    | Reply

    I have been surfing online more than three hours today, but I never found
    any fascinating article like yours. It’s pretty
    value sufficient for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made just right content
    material as you did, the net will probably be a lot more helpful
    than ever before.

  17. link bokep
    | Reply

    Howdy! Someone in my Myspace group shared this site 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! Exceptional blog and fantastic style and design.

  23. bokep barat
    | Reply

    Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic however I’d figured I’d ask.
    Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe
    guest writing a blog article or vice-versa? My blog addresses a lot of the same topics as yours and I
    believe we could greatly benefit from each other. If you’re interested feel free to
    shoot me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you!
    Terrific blog by the way!

  27. how to apply for vietnam visa from canada
    | Reply

    I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is tasteful, your authored material
    stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought
    an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following.
    unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.

  30. 88betcab
    | Reply

    You made some really good 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.

  35. Pafi Kabupaten Yogyakarta
    | Reply

    Tһｅ Indonesian Pharmacists Organization (Pafi) іs
    аctually ann expert institution desdicated tⲟwards
    accelerating pharmacy strategy ɑnd аlso health care
    iin Indonesia ԝith education ɑnd learning, educating, neighborhood health
    ɑnd wellness plan advocacy, ɑs well as efforts.
    Pafi
    makеs sure pharmacists аre actually geared up along wіth the most recent unbderstanding towaгds deliver high tⲟp premium ɑnd аlso secure pharmacy comlanies tоwards thee gеneral public.

  41. stand design dubai
    | Reply

    XESS Exhibition Stand services have been present in the industry of exhibition stand making for more than 15 years.
    With expertise in exhibition stand contracting in numerous destinations, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Muscat
    Oman, Doha Qatar, and Kuwait. XESS prioritize the need to
    ensure that every stand has a new element by making sure that the customers get what they ask for, with
    precise quality as in the exhibition stand design we
    propose or in the designs you propose to us. A
    different aspect to it is the execution of event production by numerous many ways;
    Backdrops, Stages, Pop-up stands, Roll-up stands, display stands, standees,
    Banners, retail and food kiosks, audio visual and furniture rentals.

  42. Anonymous
    | Reply

    Thanks for a marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author.
    I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and will eventually come back sometime soon. I want to
    encourage you to continue your great posts, have a nice morning!

  43. Hulk iptv
    | Reply

    It is actually a nice and useful piece of info.
    I’m satisfied that you shared this helpful info with
    us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

  44. vn88ec
    | Reply

    Great work! That is the kind of info that are supposed to be shared around the web.
    Disgrace on the search engines for now not positioning this put up upper!

    Come on over and consult with my site . Thank you =)

  46. クーポン券 作り方
    | Reply

    Only when you truly want the item you might be purchasing.
    While this could seem like a fast fix, the reality is these deductions
    might not be all they are cracked as much as be. The present partitions of Lucca, which replaced earlier
    medieval and Roman fortifications, are the results of a building campaign that started on Could 7,
    1504 and ended a century and a half later in 1648, with additional
    structural updates in the second half of the seventeenth
    century based on new knowledge and development methods.

  47. sabu-sabu
    | Reply

    For hottest information you have to visit internet and on world-wide-web
    I found this web site as a best site for newest updates.

  50. kwg game login
    | Reply

    Everything is very open with a precise description of the issues.
    It was really informative. Your website is extremely helpful.
    Thanks for sharing!

Leave a Reply

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