3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 107,234

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.

107234 Responses

  1. Sahabet
    | Reply

    Sahabet Casino’da yeni oyuncular, eşsiz fırsatları alarak oyun keyfini çıkarabilir.
    Popüler slot oyunları Sahabet‘te en iyi
    ödüllerle dolu. Şansınızı şimdi deneyin ve depolzitonuza +%500 kazanın. Sahabet, yeni yılda kazandıran kumjarhane olarak dikkat çekiyor.

  2. kupu kupu malam
    | Reply

    What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this
    I have found It positively useful and it has helped
    me out loads. I hope to contribute & help
    different users like its helped me. Good job.

  5. Pinterest
    | Reply

    This is the perfect web site for everyone who would like to find out about this topic.
    You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you
    (not that I personally will need to?HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a topic that has been written about for ages.
    Excellent stuff, just excellent!

    My homepage: Pinterest

  8. ide777
    | Reply

    Hey there! This post couldn’t be written any better!
    Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this.
    I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he
    will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

  10. Lakesha
    | Reply

    Its not my first time to pay a visit this site, i am
    browsing this site dailly and obtain good information from here all
    the time.

  12. online craps
    | Reply

    Finished Reading a Blog Post: A Formal Response
    to the Comment Section and an Invitation to Join “KING855”

    ‘After extensively scrutinizing the blog post, I would like to deliver
    the following remarks to the forum.

    Your perspectives on the theme were quite intellectually stimulating
    . I found myself in agreement with a number of
    the ideas you brought up .

    It is heartening to see such an stimulating
    discussion taking place .

    If you are inclined in deeper investigating this issue , I would warmly
    invite you to participate in the “KING855” community .
    In that space, you will have the opportunity to interact with kindred spirit
    participants and dive deeper into these fascinating themes
    .

    I am convinced your involvement would be a meaningful enhancement
    to the discussion .

    Thank you remarks, and I look forward to the possibility of
    continuing this stimulating dialogue .

    My web site online craps

  14. kontol kuat
    | Reply

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

    Thanks a lot!

  18. agar.io
    | Reply

    Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful
    & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.

  23. visit here
    | Reply

    I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something that too few people are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I found this during my hunt for something regarding this.

  26. Sarah Turner
    | Reply

    Hi there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a
    few of the pictures aren’t loading properly.
    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 results.

  29. Ronnie
    | Reply

    This website was… how do you say it? Relevant!!
    Finally I’ve found something which helped me.
    Many thanks!

  32. visit here
    | Reply

    Wow, fantastic weblog format! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for? you make running a blog look easy. The whole look of your website is magnificent, let alone the content![X-N-E-W-L-I-N-S-P-I-N-X]I just could not depart your website before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard info an individual supply to your visitors? Is gonna be again ceaselessly to check up on new posts.

  35. visit here
    | Reply

    Hello, i believe that i noticed you visited my web site so i got here to ?return the desire?.I’m trying to in finding things to enhance my website!I assume its ok to make use of some of your concepts!!

  38. click here
    | Reply

    Thanks on your marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author. I will remember to bookmark your blog and will come back later in life. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great job, have a nice holiday weekend!

  40. site
    | Reply

    I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your weblog.
    Do you ever run into any browser compatibility problems?
    A few of my blog audience have complained about my site not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari.
    Do you have any suggestions to help fix this issue?

  41. roof leak repairs melbourne
    | Reply

    Its such as you read my thoughts! You appear to grasp a
    lot approximately this, such as you wrote the book in it
    or something. I believe that you can do with some p.c.

    to power the message home a bit, but instead of that, that is great blog.
    A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.

  47. 인스타 팔로워
    | Reply

    Unquestionably imaginhe thyat which you stated. Your favourite
    reason appeared to be at the inyernet the easiest factor too understand of.
    I say to you, I certainly get irked even aas people think about concerns that they just don’t understand
    about. You managed to hit the nail upon thhe top and also defined out the whole thing without having
    sidfe effect , other folks could take a signal. Will probably be again to get more.

    Thanks
    인스타 팔로워

  48. leadershipbrownbag.com
    | Reply

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

  49. Sahabet
    | Reply

    Sahabet Casino’da yeni oyuncular, en yüksek
    boknusu alara kazanmaya başlayabilir. Popüler
    slot oyunları Sahabet’te en iyyi ödüllerle dolu. En yüksek
    bonusları toplayın ve ilk depozitoda büyük avantajlar kazanın. Sahabet, yeni yılda kazandıran kumarhane
    olarak dikkat çekiyor.

Leave a Reply

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