3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 171,053

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.

171053 Responses

  8. 밤알바
    | Reply

    Hi! I’ve been following your blog for some time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out
    from New Caney Texas! Just wanted to mention keep up the excellent job!

    my web page 밤알바

  10. Lorrie
    | Reply

    Do you have a spam issue on this website;
    I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have developed some nice practices
    and we are looking to swap solutions with other folks, why not shoot me an email if interested.

  12. Vintage Graphic Tees
    | Reply

    Hi would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with?
    I’m planning to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a tough time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique.
    P.S My apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!

    Here is my web blog: Vintage Graphic Tees

  14. Robertzed
    | Reply

    戰神賽特
    2024最新老虎機戰神賽特試玩，網友最推薦這 3家娛樂城 : 1. ATG娛樂城、2. 富遊娛樂城、3. 1XBET娛樂城，無論是在網路評論或優惠活動，都相當出色。

    戰神賽特是由ATG電子獨家開發的古埃及風格線上老虎機，傳說中戰神賽特是「力量之神」與奈芙蒂斯女神結成連理，共同守護古埃及的奇幻秘寶，只有被選中的的冒險者能夠進入探查。

  16. Chauffagiste Arlon
    | Reply

    Howdy very cool site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing ..
    I will bookmark your site and take the feeds also? I’m satisfied to find a
    lot of helpful info here within the submit, we want work
    out more strategies on this regard, thanks
    for sharing. . . . . .

    Here is my web blog … Chauffagiste Arlon

  17. Premium Fragrance Body Oils
    | Reply

    You’re so cool! I don’t think I’ve read through something like that before.
    So great to discover another person with some genuine thoughts on this issue.
    Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This site is
    something that is required on the web, someone with some originality!

    Also visit my page … Premium Fragrance Body Oils

  21. Sallie Mason
    | Reply

    Cleanliness contributes profoundly in the direction of total smartly-being—we may want to explore how cultivating habits designed deliberately improves high-quality ideas maintained at all times finished collaboratively becoming a member of forces commercial cleaners

  27. 먹튀사이트
    | Reply

    When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and
    now each time a comment is added I get four e-mails with the
    same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service?

    Thanks a lot!

    my webpage; 먹튀사이트

  34. Sophia Rivera
    | Reply

    Your point of interest upon contingency price constructions serves as relevant gaining knowledge of moments assisting energy clientele-I surely cost this content material!!!! Explore even deeper contexts round legislations practices the following: ### accident lawyer las vegas

  37. Della Hall
    | Reply

    Szybka sprzedaż nieruchomości to idealna opcja w sytuacjach wymagających szybkiego pozbycia się mieszkania lub domu. Dzięki temu procesowi można zaoszczędzić czas na poszukiwaniach kupca Idź tutaj

  49. GlennUtize
    | Reply

    Đá Gà Online – Hình Thức Giải Trí Mới Mẻ và Hấp Dẫn

    Ngày nay, với sự phát triển mạnh mẽ của công nghệ thông tin, nhiều hình thức giải trí truyền thống đã được chuyển thể sang các phiên bản trực tuyến, và đá gà online chính là một trong số đó. Đá gà không chỉ là một trò chơi có lịch sử lâu đời ở nhiều quốc gia, mà còn là một phần văn hóa đặc sắc, gắn liền với những giá trị truyền thống. Khi được số hóa, hình thức này mang đến nhiều lợi ích và trải nghiệm mới lạ cho người chơi.

    Đá gà online cho phép người chơi tham gia vào các trận đấu bất cứ lúc nào và ở bất kỳ đâu, chỉ cần có kết nối internet. Điều này mang đến một sự thuận tiện vượt trội so với hình thức đá gà truyền thống, nơi người chơi thường phải đến sân đấu để có thể tham gia. Nhờ vào công nghệ livestream, người chơi có thể theo dõi trực tiếp các trận đấu từ xa, cảm nhận được không khí kịch tính và hồi hộp như đang ở sân đấu thực sự.

    Ngoài ra, đá gà online còn tạo cơ hội cho người chơi tương tác với nhau, chia sẻ kinh nghiệm và chiến thuật. Đây không chỉ là một trò chơi đơn thuần, mà còn là một cộng đồng nơi người yêu thích đá gà có thể kết nối và giao lưu. Nhiều nền tảng đá gà online hiện nay còn cung cấp các dịch vụ đặt cược, giúp người chơi có thêm phần thú vị và hứng thú khi theo dõi trận đấu.

    Tuy nhiên, bên cạnh những lợi ích đó, đá gà online cũng đặt ra nhiều vấn đề cần được xem xét. Cùng với sự phát triển của hình thức này, những tranh cãi về đạo đức, pháp lý và quyền lợi động vật cũng trở nên nổi bật. Nhiều người lo ngại rằng việc tổ chức đá gà, dù ở hình thức nào, cũng có thể gây tổn hại đến sức khỏe và quyền lợi của các chú gà. Vấn đề đặt cược cũng tạo ra rủi ro tài chính cho người chơi, và cần có sự quản lý chặt chẽ hơn từ phía các cơ quan chức năng.

    Trong bối cảnh đó, để đá gà online phát triển bền vững, cần có các quy định hợp pháp và minh bạch nhằm bảo vệ quyền lợi của cả người chơi và động vật. Đồng thời, việc nâng cao nhận thức của cộng đồng về đạo đức trong việc tham gia các trò chơi giải trí này cũng là rất quan trọng.

    Tóm lại, đá gà online là một hình thức giải trí mới mẻ, mang đến nhiều trải nghiệm thú vị cho người chơi. Tuy nhiên, đi kèm với nó là trách nhiệm trong việc bảo vệ quyền lợi động vật và đảm bảo tính hợp pháp của các hoạt động cá cược. Chỉ khi có sự cân bằng giữa giải trí và đạo đức, đá gà online mới có thể trở thành một phần hấp dẫn và bền vững trong đời sống giải trí hiện đại.

Leave a Reply

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