3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 171,398

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.

171398 Responses

  4. Best mortgage Advisor
    | Reply

    Mortgage brokers are real game-changers! They make the process of securing a home loan so much easier.
    If you’re looking for guidance, their expertise is
    invaluable!

    Great insights! Working with a mortgage advisor saved me so much time and stress when buying my home.
    Highly recommend getting professional help!

    I never reallized hhow much a mortgage broker can simplify the loan process.
    They helped me find the best rates and explained everything so clearly.

    This article highlights just how crucial mortgage brokers are.

    If you’re looking to buy or refinance, don’t go it alone—get expert advice!

    I used a mortgage advisor when buying my first home, and it was a game-changer.

    Their knowledge helped mme avoid costly mistakes and save
    money!

    Lovesd reading this! Mortgage brokers really do save yyou time by comparing
    loan options. Definitely the smarter chice if
    you’re in the market for a home.

    I agree, mortgage brokers are essential for finding the right deal.
    Theey take the stress out of naviating all the different
    loan options available.

    I wish I knew about mortgage brokers sooner. They helped me secure a great
    deal, and the process was smooth from start to finish.

    Mortgage brokers are a must for anyone looking
    to buy a home or refinance. They make sure you’re
    getting thee best deal possible—highly recommend!

    Great article! Mortgage brokers truly provide value by finding the
    best deals and walking you through the whole process
    with ease.

    Couldn’t agree more! Using a mortgage brokker saved mee from wasting tiime on loan offers that didn’t fit my needs.

    It’s the way to go!

    As a first-time homebuyer, I felt lost in the mortgage world.
    But a mortgage advisor made the profess clear, simple,
    and stress-free.

    The mortgage world can be overwhelming, but a mortgage broker simplifies everything.
    I’m so glad I made the decision to work with one.

    Refinaning was something I didn’t want to deal with, but
    my mortgage broker made it easy. They helped me get a much lower rate—thanks again!

    I’ve wordked with mortgage brokers for years, and I
    can’t recommend them enough. They’re the reason I’ve been able to
    seure great rates everry time.

    Great advice! I always recommend using a mortgage broker—they provide clarity and make suure you understand all the fine print of your
    loan.

    Using a mortgage advisor was the beset decision I made when buying my house.
    They really know howw to find thee right solutions for your financial situation.

    I never thought about using a mortgage broker until reading this.

    They realky take the pressure ooff by comparing lenders and offering expert
    guidance.

    This is a grest reminder off wwhy mortgage broers are so essential.
    Their experience and knowledge help clients avoid unnecessary pitfalls.

    Amazing read! Mortgage brokers are like having a trusted guide in thee often confusing
    world of home loans. They are definitely worth considering!

    I’ve worked with mortgage brokers in the past, and their guidance is priceless.
    They rrally help you save time and money in the home-buying process.

    Mortgage brokers make a bbig difference, especially if
    you’re a first-time homebuyer. They explain everything and ensue you’re
    making the best financial decisions.

    Mortgage brokers helped me get a lower rate and a better deal on my home loan. If you’re looking for help,
    they’re the way to go.

    If you’re buying a holme or refinancing, you should definitely consider
    working with a mortgage broker. They take the stress out of the enttire process!

    Fantastic article! Mortgage brokers are truly essential for
    navigating today’s complex mortgage market.

    Their expertise makes all the difference!

    Also visit my web page; Best mortgage Advisor

  7. lipozem
    | Reply

    Quality posts is the crucial to attract the viewers to pay a quick visit the website,
    that’s what this website is providing.

  12. BOKEP TERBARU
    | Reply

    Wonderful site you have here but I was curious about if you knew of
    any user discussion forums that cover the same topics discussed here?
    I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get comments from other knowledgeable people that share
    the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please
    let me know. Cheers!

  20. Weight Clinic
    | Reply

    Thank you forr addressing tyis topic! It’s not easy to navigate
    the world of fitness and nutrition, but your focus onn
    [Health and Fitness, Weight Loss, Nutrition and Diet] really hits the mark.
    I’ve been trying to implement more whole foods into my diet, and it’s made a difference.
    What’s your take on balancing healthy eating with occasional indulgences?

  41. horse and cart funeral
    | Reply

    Traditional funerals vs. modern approaches—what’s your
    preference? [Funeral director] offers tailored arrangements, which helped us choose what felt right for our family.

    I’d love to hear what others think about balancing
    tradition with personalization.

    Here is my blog post :: horse and cart funeral

  42. E2Bet Thailand
    | Reply

    E2Bet เว็บเดิมพันออนไลน์อันดับท็อปของเอเชีย เชื่อถือได้ มั่นคง ปลอดภัย เพิ่มประสบการณ์การเล่นที่เหนือกว่าใคร
    E2Bet เท่านั้น! สมัครเลยตอนนี้ รับสิทธิพิเศษมากมาย

  45. nike kd 9 gs
    | Reply

    Hello are using WordPress for your blog platform?

    I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my
    own. Do you need any coding expertise to make your own blog?

    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Leave a Reply

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