3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 20,642

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.

20642 Responses

  1. akun vip
    | Reply

    hi!,I like your writing so a lot! percentage we keep in touch extra about your post on AOL? I need a specialist on this space to solve my problem. May be that’s you! Taking a look forward to see you.

  2. maxicab
    | Reply

    Hi there to every , since I am in fact keen of reading this webpage’s post to be updated regularly.
    It carries nice material.

    My blog post :: maxicab

  3. Sex-Podcast
    | Reply

    Having read this I thought it was extremely informative.
    I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this information together.
    I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments.
    But so what, it was still worth it!

    Visit my blog post – Sex-Podcast

  5. Crown
    | Reply

    Thank you for another informative website. The place else may just I get that type of
    info written in such an ideal way? I’ve a undertaking that
    I am simply now working on, and I’ve been on the
    look out for such information.

  7. celinetoto
    | Reply

    Great blog right here! Also your website lots up fast!
    What web host are you the use of? Can I am getting your affiliate hyperlink to
    your host? I desire my web site loaded up as fast
    as yours lol

  10. Syair HK
    | Reply

    What’s up everyone, it’s my first go to see at this web site, and piece of
    writing is in fact fruitful for me, keep up posting such articles.

  11. Gummies
    | Reply

    If you wish for to take much from this article then you have to apply these methods to your won weblog.

  12. ORIENTAL BLUE TONIC Review
    | Reply

    You can definitely see your expertise within the work you write.
    The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you
    who are not afraid to say how they believe. All the time follow your heart.

  13. kerassentials oil fungus
    | Reply

    My brother recommended I may like this web site. He was totally right.

    This put up actually made my day. You cann’t believe simply how much time I had spent for this info!
    Thanks!

  17. jak rozpocząć rozmowę
    | Reply

    Today, I went to the beach front with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4
    year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She
    placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab
    inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go
    back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  19. Going Here
    | Reply

    What’s up, all is going perfectly here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts,
    that’s truly excellent, keep up writing.

  21. agenda2020org
    | Reply

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

  23. maxicab
    | Reply

    These are truly impressive ideas in about blogging.
    You have touched some fastidious things here. Any way keep up wrinting.

    Here is my page; maxicab

  24. maxicab
    | Reply

    all the time i used to read smaller posts which as well
    clear their motive, and that is also happening with this post which I
    am reading at this time.

    my homepage :: maxicab

  26. maxi cab
    | Reply

    I am not sure where you’re getting your info, but great
    topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
    Thanks for magnificent information I was looking for this info for my mission.

    my web site: maxi cab

  29. additional resources
    | Reply

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

    Appreciate it!

  35. maxi cab
    | Reply

    I was wondering if you ever considered changing the structure of your blog?
    Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But
    maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with
    it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having
    1 or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?

    Also visit my site maxi cab

  36. dcd 996
    | Reply

    Excellent blog here! Also your web site loads up fast!
    What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
    I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

  40. bcgame
    | Reply

    Greetings from California! I’m bored at work so I decided to check
    out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I love
    the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
    I’m amazed at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile
    .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, awesome blog!

  43. what is business physical address
    | Reply

    I’m really impressed with your writing skills and also with the
    layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?
    Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is
    rare to see a great blog like this one today.

  44. Scottthunk
    | Reply

    Understanding COSC Certification and Its Importance in Watchmaking
    COSC Accreditation and its Demanding Criteria
    Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres, or the Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres, is the authorized Swiss testing agency that verifies the precision and precision of timepieces. COSC accreditation is a mark of quality craftsmanship and trustworthiness in chronometry. Not all timepiece brands follow COSC certification, such as Hublot, which instead follows to its proprietary strict criteria with mechanisms like the UNICO calibre, achieving similar accuracy.

    The Art of Exact Timekeeping
    The central system of a mechanized timepiece involves the mainspring, which supplies power as it unwinds. This mechanism, however, can be vulnerable to external elements that may affect its accuracy. COSC-validated mechanisms undergo rigorous testing—over 15 days in various circumstances (5 positions, three temperatures)—to ensure their durability and dependability. The tests measure:

    Typical daily rate precision between -4 and +6 secs.
    Mean variation, maximum variation levels, and impacts of thermal variations.
    Why COSC Accreditation Matters
    For watch enthusiasts and connoisseurs, a COSC-validated watch isn’t just a item of tech but a demonstration to enduring quality and precision. It symbolizes a watch that:

    Offers excellent reliability and precision.
    Offers assurance of quality across the entire design of the watch.
    Is apt to retain its value more effectively, making it a wise choice.
    Famous Timepiece Brands
    Several well-known manufacturers prioritize COSC certification for their watches, including Rolex, Omega, Breitling, and Longines, among others. Longines, for instance, provides collections like the Record and Spirit, which showcase COSC-accredited movements equipped with innovative substances like silicon equilibrium suspensions to improve durability and performance.

    Historical Background and the Evolution of Chronometers
    The idea of the timepiece originates back to the requirement for precise timekeeping for navigation at sea, emphasized by John Harrison’s work in the eighteenth cent. Since the formal foundation of COSC in 1973, the accreditation has become a standard for judging the precision of high-end timepieces, continuing a legacy of superiority in horology.

    Conclusion
    Owning a COSC-accredited watch is more than an visual choice; it’s a commitment to excellence and accuracy. For those appreciating accuracy above all, the COSC certification provides tranquility of thoughts, guaranteeing that each certified timepiece will operate dependably under various conditions. Whether for personal satisfaction or as an investment decision, COSC-validated watches stand out in the world of watchmaking, maintaining on a tradition of careful chronometry.

  46. tos whq 13 cnc
    | Reply

    When someone writes an piece of writing he/she keeps the
    plan of a user in his/her mind that how a user can be aware of it.
    Therefore that’s why this paragraph is great.

    Thanks!

  47. emperors vigor reviews
    | Reply

    Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that
    it is really informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels.

    I’ll appreciate if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing.

    Cheers!

Leave a Reply

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