3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 163,327

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.

163327 Responses

  1. autospin777
    | Reply

    Hi, i think that i saw you visited my site so i
    came to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find things to enhance
    my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

  4. Web Builder
    | Reply

    Wonderful site. Lots of helpful information here.

    I am sending it to some pals ans additionally sharing in delicious.
    And certainly, thanks to your sweat!

  5. online casino artificial intelligence
    | Reply

    Welcomes , peer patron . I found your insightful
    critique on the blog post incredibly astute .

    Your position on the theme is somewhat exemplary.

    As you give the impression to possess a keen involvement
    in the content , I intend to give an solicitation
    for you to immerse yourself in the expanse of ‘918KISS’.

    This particular network furnishes a wide-ranging
    selection of riveting offerings that consequently suit members
    encompassing wide-ranging passions .

    I infer you may encounter the collective at ‘918KISS’ to be simultaneously
    beneficial and cerebrally enthralling .

    I recommend you to contemplate affiliating
    with us and sharing your precious observations to the ongoing
    deliberations. Optimistic about perhaps welcoming you
    as a part of our community .

    my web site; online casino artificial intelligence

  6. کرم پودر ضد آب
    | Reply

    I was pretty pleased to discover this site. I need to to thank you for
    your time just for this wonderful read!! I definitely
    loved every part of it and I have you saved as a
    favorite to check out new things on your blog.

  15. bokep kontol
    | Reply

    Hi, i think that i saw you visited my site so i came to “return the favor”.I am attempting to find things to improve
    my website!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

  20. look at this now
    | Reply

    Everyone loves what you guys are usually up too. This kind of clever work and reporting!
    Keep up the superb works guys I’ve you guys to my personal blogroll.

  22. discover this info here
    | Reply

    Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as
    I provide credit and sources back to your
    webpage? My website is in the exact same area of interest as yours
    and my visitors would certainly benefit from some of the information you present here.
    Please let me know if this ok with you. Regards!

  28. Moving Waldo
    | Reply

    I simply could not go away your site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the
    standard info an individual provide to your visitors?
    Is gonna be back steadily in order to investigate cross-check new posts

  29. migration agent darwin
    | Reply

    Normally I do not read article on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to try and do it!
    Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, quite
    nice post.

  30. learn more here
    | Reply

    Hi there, You have done an excellent job. I will certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends.
    I am sure they’ll be benefited from this site.

  33. Digital currency training in Karaj
    | Reply

    My developer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on a variety of websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform.
    I have heard great things about blogengine.net. Is there
    a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it?
    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  38. 地震 予知 は
    | Reply

    Whereas most of the massage chairs in the marketplace depend on a mechanical approach, inventors have come up with several different techniques to perfect the therapeutic massage chair.

  40. click here
    | Reply

    Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?
    There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content.

    Please let me know. Thanks

  47. useful link
    | Reply

    Hi i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anyplace, when i read this piece of writing i thought i could also create
    comment due to this brilliant piece of writing.

Leave a Reply

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