3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 158,602

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.

158602 Responses

  2. Orion Depp
    | Reply

    Pretty portion of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert
    that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment or even I achievement you get admission to persistently rapidly.

    Look at my web site; Orion Depp

  4. best crypto casinos
    | Reply

    Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a
    very well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read
    more of your useful info. Thanks for the post.
    I will certainly comeback.

  11. Johnny Poole
    | Reply

    I currently had an powerful revel in with Action Pest Control in the Chicago part! Their crew changed into legitimate, expert, and actual committed to getting rid of my pest trouble. I extremely put forward them to anybody seeking riskless provider critter removal

  13. قارچ سوخاری کیلویی
    | Reply

    hello!,I like your writing very so much! percentage we keep up a
    correspondence extra approximately your article on AOL? I need an expert in this area to solve my problem.
    May be that is you! Looking ahead to look you.

  16. virtual porn
    | Reply

    Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this website.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s difficult to get
    that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual
    appearance. I must say you’ve done a awesome job
    with this. Additionally, the blog loads extremely fast for
    me on Firefox. Excellent Blog!

  19. Orion Depp Solana
    | Reply

    Great work! This is the type of information that should be shared
    across the web. Disgrace on Google for now not positioning
    this post higher! Come on over and seek advice from my site .
    Thanks =)

    Feel free to surf to my site – Orion Depp Solana

  25. Orion Depp Crypto Advisor
    | Reply

    You’re so interesting! I don’t believe I’ve read through a single thing like that
    before. So great to find another person with a few
    unique thoughts on this issue. Really.. many thanks for starting this up.
    This website is something that is needed on the web,
    someone with some originality!

    Feel free to surf to my homepage … Orion Depp Crypto Advisor

  27. Orion Depp Crypto Advisor
    | Reply

    Good day! I know this is kind of off topic but
    I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website?
    I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m
    looking at alternatives for another platform.
    I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good
    platform.

    my web blog … Orion Depp Crypto Advisor

  29. Orion Depp Solana
    | Reply

    Appreciating the persistence you put into your site and detailed information you offer.
    It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the
    same outdated rehashed material. Fantastic
    read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

    Here is my web-site: Orion Depp Solana

  30. Orion Depp Twitter
    | Reply

    Hey There. I discovered your blog using msn. This is a very smartly written article.
    I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to learn extra
    of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.

    Take a look at my web site; Orion Depp Twitter

  35. Orion Depp Solana
    | Reply

    Its such as you learn my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the e book in it or something.
    I believe that you can do with a few p.c. to force the message house a bit, however other
    than that, this is great blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.

    my homepage – Orion Depp Solana

  41. SITUS PENIPU
    | Reply

    I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site.
    I really hope to check out the same high-grade blog posts from
    you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me
    to get my own, personal blog now 😉

  42. Orion Depp Solana
    | Reply

    hello!,I like your writing very a lot! proportion we be in contact
    extra about your post on AOL? I require a specialist in this area to unravel my problem.
    May be that’s you! Having a look forward to look you.

    Also visit my web blog; Orion Depp Solana

  45. Orion Depp Solana
    | Reply

    An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this
    onto a colleague who has been doing a little homework on this.
    And he actually ordered me dinner because I discovered it for him…
    lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!!
    But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this topic here on your website.

    my blog – Orion Depp Solana

Leave a Reply

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