3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 204,498

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.

204498 Responses

  3. Tollywood Collection
    | Reply

    Hey there superb blog! Does running a blog such
    as this take a massive amount work? I’ve absolutely no expertise in coding but I was hoping to
    start my own blog soon. Anyway, should you have
    any ideas or techniques for new blog owners please share.
    I know this is off topic however I simply had to ask.
    Cheers!

  10. Tollywood Collection
    | Reply

    We are a bunch of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community.
    Your website offered us with helpful information to work on. You have performed a formidable process and our entire group shall be thankful to you.

  11. Bokep Terbaru
    | Reply

    Because the admin of this web site is working, no uncertainty very
    rapidly it will be famous, due to its feature contents.

  12. PHIM XEX LOẠN LUẬN GOOGLE VIỆT NAM
    | Reply

    hello there and thank you for your information – I’ve
    certainly picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise some technical points using this site, since I experienced to
    reload the website lots of times previous to
    I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your
    web host is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will often affect your placement
    in google and can damage your high quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords.
    Well I am adding this RSS to my email and can look out for much more of
    your respective intriguing content. Make sure you
    update this again very soon.

  14. air duct cleaning near me
    | Reply

    An interesting discussion may be valued at comment. I do believe that you ought to write on this topic, may well certainly be a taboo subject but usually individuals are not enough to communicate on such topics. To a higher. Cheers

  15. systemcheck-wiki.de
    | Reply

    I know this web page gives quality dependent articles or reviews
    and additional material, is there any other web site
    which offers these information in quality?

  24. Wilson golf balls
    | Reply

    Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictures on this blog loading?

    I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
    Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

  25. new online casinos
    | Reply

    It’s really a great and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you just shared this helpful info with us.
    Please stay us informed like this. Thank you
    for sharing.

  27. tiktok download mac
    | Reply

    This is a good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
    Simple but very accurate info… Appreciate
    your sharing this one. A must read post!

  31. Tollywood Box Office Collection
    | Reply

    Hi, i believe that i noticed you visited my weblog thus i came to go back the
    choose?.I am attempting to to find things to enhance my website!I guess its adequate to make use of some
    of your concepts!!

  33. air duct cleaning services
    | Reply

    I was just looking for this info for some time. After six hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your website. I wonder what’s the Google’s issue that does not rank this type of informative web sites closer to the top. Usually the top websites are full of garbage.

  37. engineers
    | Reply

    Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday.
    It’s always useful to read through content from other writers and use something from their websites.

  40. archmageriseswiki.com
    | Reply

    May I simply just say what a comfort to find an individual who truly knows what they’re
    talking about on the web. You actually realize how to bring a problem to
    light and make it important. A lot more people really
    need to check this out and understand this side of your story.
    I was surprised you aren’t more popular since you surely have the gift.

  41. cash for motorcycles
    | Reply

    Hey I am so happy I found your blog, I really found you by accident, while I
    was researching on Bing for something else, Anyways I am here now and
    would just like to say cheers for a incredible post and a all round
    enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the
    excellent job.

  42. learn more here
    | Reply

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

  49. R7 casino зеркало на сегодня
    | Reply

    R7 Казино — это место, где каждый игрок может испытать свою удачу и получить невероятные выигрыши. R7 Казино – это богатый выбор игр, которые обеспечат вам массу удовольствия и шанс на прибыль. Все наши игры созданы, чтобы вы могли не только развлекаться, но и улучшать свои шансы на удачу.

    Почему вам стоит играть именно у нас? Мы предлагаем удобные условия для игроков, включая круглосуточную поддержку и гарантированную безопасность личных данных. Мы предлагаем щедрые бонусы и акции, которые помогут вам максимально повысить шансы на успех.

    Когда лучше начать играть? Не теряйте времени, начните играть прямо сейчас и испытайте невероятные эмоции от каждой победы. Вот несколько причин, почему стоит играть в R7 Казино:

    Изучите наши условия, чтобы максимально эффективно использовать все возможности.
    Лояльные клиенты получают эксклюзивные бонусы и предложения, доступные только им.
    Для новичков мы предоставляем бесплатные версии игр, чтобы вы могли без стресса научиться и повысить свои навыки.

    Присоединяйтесь к R7 Казино и начните выигрывать уже сегодня, испытайте настоящий азарт! https://r7-casinochampion.lol/

  50. zeroandinfinity.com
    | Reply

    I feel that is one of the such a lot vital info for me.
    And i’m satisfied studying your article. But wanna statement on some normal issues, The website style is ideal,
    the articles is really great : D. Excellent job, cheers

Leave a Reply

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