3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 93,401

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.

93401 Responses

  2. ラブドールエロ
    | Reply

    漫画家、イラストレーターが使用する人物や背景資料、ダッチワイフ貼り付けるだけで使える背景素材、おすすめデッサン人形、〇○の描き方の参考動画の共有など、絵描き向け情報を発信しているサイト。

  11. aplikasi video porno
    | Reply

    This is the right web site for everyone who really wants to understand
    this topic. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you
    (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a fresh spin on a
    subject which has been discussed for many years. Wonderful stuff,
    just excellent!

  14. Celebrations
    | Reply

    Hi there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would
    be okay. I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.

  21. link bet188
    | Reply

    It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this outstanding blog!
    I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking
    and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward
    to new updates and will talk about this site
    with my Facebook group. Chat soon!

  25. Lamarak
    | Reply

    I want to show you one exclusive program called (BTC PROFIT SEARCH AND MINING PHRASES), which can make you a rich man!

    This program searches for Bitcoin wallets with a balance, and tries to find a secret phrase for them to get full access to the lost wallet!

    Run the program and wait, and in order to increase your chances, install the program on all computers available to you, at work, with your friends, with your relatives, you can also ask your classmates to use the program, so your chances will increase tenfold!
    Remember the more computers you use, the higher your chances of getting the treasure!

    DOWNLOAD FOR FREE

    Telegram:
    https://t.me/btc_profit_search

  27. Camisetas De RB Leipzig Baratas
    | Reply

    Hello would you mind letting me know which hosting
    company you’re using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3
    completely different internet browsers and I must say this
    blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you recommend a good web hosting provider at a honest price?
    Kudos, I appreciate it!

  32. Uniforms for healthcare Dubai
    | Reply

    Hmm is anyone else encountering 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.

  35. looking more
    | Reply

    Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly long comment
    but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr…
    well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say great blog!

  40. Open BO Ngentod Tobrut tinggal chat
    | Reply

    After looking at a few of the blog articles on your site,
    I really appreciate your technique of blogging.
    I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark webpage list and will be
    checking back in the near future. Take a look at my website as well and let me know your
    opinion.

  41. gacor57
    | Reply

    Habanero terkenal sebagai salah satu supplier slot terbaik di dunia. Dengan nanti setiap bettor akan bisa menikmati slot on-line terpercaya melalui fasilitas dan produk recreation memuaskan. Salah satu keunggulan yang bisa ditemukan bettor didalamnya adalah slot dengan tampilan trendy. Dimana bettor akan menemukan tampilan dengan sistem 4D didalamnya.

  47. Black hat SEO
    | Reply

    Ready to improve your website’s search engine ranking?
    Visit https://seoshop.xmc.pl for premium backlinks that will take
    your SEO efforts to the next level. Our backlinks are sourced from
    reputable domains and are designed to provide your site with the authority and
    visibility it needs to succeed. With our high-quality links, you
    can expect to see significant improvements in your site’s organic traffic and
    search engine ranking. Don’t wait—explore our range of packages and discover the perfect
    solution for your SEO needs today!

Leave a Reply

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