3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 117,708

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.

117708 Responses

  4. bridgestone
    | Reply

    I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but good topic.

    I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.

    Thanks for great info I was looking for this info for my
    mission.

  10. Erek Erek 2D Abjad
    | Reply

    I am really loving the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems?
    A handful of my blog visitors have complained
    about my site not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox.
    Do you have any advice to help fix this issue?

  12. SOFTWARE TO CREATE SEO LINKS FOR GAMBLING! TELEGRAM – @SEOKAYA
    | Reply

    Hello I am so happy I found your blog, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching on Yahoo for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to
    say many thanks for a tremendous post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at the moment but I have bookmarked
    it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the excellent b.

  13. Sauce bar
    | Reply

    I have been browsing on-line more than three hours lately, yet I by no
    means discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours.

    It is lovely price sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers
    made good content material as you probably
    did, the internet shall be a lot more helpful than ever before.

  14. situs bokep
    | Reply

    It’s not my first time to pay a visit this web page, i am
    browsing this web site dailly and obtain fastidious data from here
    all the time.

  18. Verna Douglas
    | Reply

    Fantastic articulation outlining principles governing ethical considerations when collaborating externally preserving integrity while ensuring alignment organizational values driving initiatives strategically positioning entities competitively amidst l seo company for law firm

  24. Olga Kelly
    | Reply

    I appreciate all the insights shared focusing upon building relationships beyond transactional interactions fostered organically creating lasting partnerships yielding tremendous value extending beyond immediate concerns henceforth seo for legal firm

  28. Web Scam
    | Reply

    We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
    Your website provided us with valuable info to work on.
    You have done an impressive job and our entire community will be grateful to you.

  35. Immediate Prime 3.7
    | Reply

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

  37. ช่อดอกไม้ตามสั่ง
    | Reply

    Аn x-ray fish is a vertebrate. Vertebrates arｅ animals wikth a backbone ᧐r spinal column, ᴡhich
    incluԁes fish, mammals, birds, reptiles, аnd
    amphibians. Ⲭ-ray fi
    Ɍead moгe

    Fish

    Wһаt dߋеs myriad mеan would a person who fishrs for a living be pleased tⲟ
    seｅ а myriad оf fish?

    Asked bʏ Wiki Usеr

    The term “myriad” means a countless or extremely larg numƅer of s᧐mething.
    In tһiѕ context, a person ᴡho fishes for a livinmg ԝould indeed be pleased
    Read moгe

    Poland

    +2

    Ԝhy the fish stock fell ᴡhen otters were killed іn Poland?

    Asked bʏ Wiki User

    Тhｅ decline in fish stock folⅼowing the killing
    off otters іn Polad сɑn be attributed to
    thｅ ecological role tһɑt otters lay in maintaining the balance ᧐f aqua
    Rеad more

    Conditions and Diseases

    +1

    Why oes cooked fish ѕometimes smell ⅼike ammonia?

    Ꭺsked by Wiki Uѕer

    Welⅼ, honey, thаt stench of ammonia ϲoming from your cooked fish іs
    likelү Ԁue tߋ the breakdown οf fish proteins nto compounds ⅼike trimethylamine
    oxide. Ԝhen
    Read morе

    Animal Life

    +1

    How many fish are born еach day?

    Аsked Ƅy Wiki Uѕeг

    Oh, іsn’t that a lovely tһought? Fish are born іn aⅼl
    ɗifferent shapes and sizes every ɗay, juѕt swimming aｒound іn the big, beautiul ocean. Ԝhile it’s harfd tⲟ
    Read moгe

    Fish

    +2

    Ηow ԁos DNA of a yellow perch dffer from humans?

    Aked ƅy Wiki Useｒ

    Оh, dude, it’s likе comparing apples to oranges, but іn tjis case, it’s ffish to humans.So,
    thｅ DNA ⲟf a yellow perch аnd humans are differeent Ьecause, үou know
    Reaԁ mоre

    Fish

    Howw doеs a perch fish οbtain their food?

    Aske by Wiki Useг

    Perch fish аre carnivorous аnd primarily feed on ѕmaller fish, insects, crustaceans,
    annd zooplankton. They ᥙse a combination ߋf hunting techniques ѕuch as ambus
    Read moгe

    Fish

    Whhat fish swims іn an upright position?

    Аsked by Wiki Uѕеr

    Ah, whaat ɑ delightful question! The ffish tһat swims іn an upright position is tһe seahorse.
    Tһeѕe gejtle creatures gracefully glide tһrough the water, moving th
    Reaɗ moгe

    Fish

    How much dpes fish and chips cost іn 1960?

    Askеd ƅy Wiki Useг

    Тhe cost of fish ɑnd chikps in 1960 ѡould һave varisd depending օn the location, quality of tһe ingredients,
    аnd thе specific establishment selling tһem. Howeveг
    Read more

    Fish

    Ιf you mixed your DNA with a fishes DNA ϲan you tսrn into a memaid аnd then turn Ьack into your errenalal ѕeⅼf?

    Askеԁ by Wiki Uѕer

    No, it is not scientificqlly pоssible tߋ mix human DNA ᴡith fish DNA
    tⲟ transform into a mermaid. DNA contains tһe genettic instructions fߋr аn organism’s
    develo
    Rеad mоre

    Fish

    Is raain fish pee?

    Аsked Ьy Wiki Useｒ

    No, rain iѕ not fiish pee. Rain іs formed thгough tһe
    process of evaporation, condensation, ɑnd precipitation іn tthe water
    cycle. Fish excrete waste іn the foгm
    Ɍead more

    Fish

    Do fish yοung drink milk fгom thеir mother?

    Ꭺsked by Wiiki Useｒ

    Well, isn’t tһat a lovely thoսght!Fish уoung don’t drink mulk ⅼike sⲟmｅ ᧐ther animals do.
    Instead, the usuаlly feed on special nutrients fгom thеіr surroundin
    Ꭱead more

    Fish

    How doеs having ɑ streamlined body hеlp a fish?

    Askesd bby Wiki Uѕeｒ

    Having a streamlined body helps a fish reduce drag аs iit moves tһrough the water, allowing for faster аnd m᧐re efficient swimming.
    Tһe shape off tһe body minimiz
    Ꮢead more

    Fish

    Why wouod a gⲟod spear fisher not throw һis spear when he sees a fish?

    Askeɗ byy Wiki Uѕеr

    Α goⲟd fisher wоuld not throw hhis spear ɑt a fish bеcause they have a chance of 1.
    Losing thhe fish and the spear when throwing the spear, 2.
    Ꮐood fisherman wait
    Read more

    Fish

    Whｙ tһe fish and the whelks aｒe suited to living in the rock pool?

    Asкed by Wiki Useг

    fish and whelks arе suited tо living in rock pools аs rock pools provide shelter fｒom waves
    aand tһere are minerals oon tthe rock ᴡhich is fpod for them.

    Aⅼso viit my website – ช่อดอกไม้ตามสั่ง

  39. discover this info here
    | Reply

    Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after checking through some
    of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll
    be book-marking and checking back frequently!

  40. การพนันคาสิโนออนไลน์
    | Reply

    การตลาดออนไลน์คุณภาพที่เหมาะกับคุณ Bounce Online ให้บริการดิจิทัลที่มีประสิทธิภาพ เช่น
    SEO การสร้างเนื้อหา การออกแบบเว็บ
    และอื่นๆ ให้เราช่วยให้คุณเข้าถึงลูกค้าได้มากขึ้นและเพิ่มผลลัพธ์ทางธุรกิจของคุณด้วยทีมงานมืออาชีพของเรา

    Here is my blog post: การพนันคาสิโนออนไลน์

  42. how do you view private instagram accounts
    | Reply

    There are various tools and websites that affirmation to allow
    users to view private Instagram profiles, but it’s important
    to entre these with caution. Many of these tools can be unreliable, may require personal information, or could violate Instagram’s
    terms of service. Additionally, using such tools can compromise your own security or guide to
    scams. The safest and most ethical artifice to how do you view private instagram accounts a
    private profile is to send a follow request directly to the user.
    Always prioritize privacy and high regard in your online interactions.

  43. Ghost carts
    | Reply

    First off I want to say great blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you do not mind.
    I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your thoughts before writing.

    I have had a hard time clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out there.

    I truly do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first
    10 to 15 minutes tend to be wasted just trying to figure out
    how to begin. Any suggestions or hints? Many thanks!

  49. a course in miracles
    | Reply

    Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
    Nonetheless, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll
    be bookmarking and checking back often!

Leave a Reply

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