3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 204,858

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.

204858 Responses

  4. best crypto casinos
    | Reply

    Hello! Someone in my Facebook group shared this
    site with us so I came to look it over. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Fantastic blog and terrific design.

  6. AB77
    | Reply

    I don’t know whether it’s just me or if everyone else encountering problems with your
    site. It appears as though some of the written text in your posts are running off
    the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if this is happening
    to them too? This could be a issue with my web browser because I’ve had this happen before.

    Thank you

  17. Tollywood Collections
    | Reply

    Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your post seem to be running off the screen in Safari.

    I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with internet
    browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know.
    The style and design look great though! Hope you
    get the problem resolved soon. Cheers

  18. can nigerians apply for malaysia e-visa
    | Reply

    You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but
    I find this topic to be actually something which I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complicated and very broad for me.
    I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  21. c 54
    | Reply

    Does your site have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but,
    I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
    Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it develop
    over time.

  23. Tollywood Collections
    | Reply

    Pretty component of content. I simply stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to say
    that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Any way I will be subscribing on your feeds and
    even I fulfillment you get admission to constantly rapidly.

  26. Tollywood Box Office Collection
    | Reply

    Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic however ,
    I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links
    or maybe guest writing a blog article or vice-versa?

    My site addresses a lot of the same subjects as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other.
    If you might be interested feel free to send me an e-mail.
    I look forward to hearing from you! Great blog by
    the way!

  27. cryptotec24.com
    | Reply

    Entering the world of digital assets today offers exciting chances for profit, portfolio variety, and economic evolution. With growing corporate interest, developments
    within crypto infrastructure, and widening mainstream acceptance, digital assets continue
    to gain credibility.

    Many crypto tokens provide unique applications, such as autonomous financial ecosystems and automated contracts,
    which redefine established markets. Additionally, Bitcoin and several trusted assets are
    often seen as a shield from inflation and market turbulence.
    While the market remains unpredictable, calculated moves and future-oriented thinking
    can yield significant rewards.

  28. Tollywood Collection
    | Reply

    Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist
    with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success.
    If you know of any please share. Appreciate it!

  32. bytes-the-dust.com
    | Reply

    What’s up every one, here every person is sharing these familiarity, therefore
    it’s good to read this blog, and I used to pay a visit this weblog daily.

  34. Tollywood Collection
    | Reply

    Normally I do not learn article on blogs, but I would like
    to say that this write-up very forced me to check out and do so!

    Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, very great
    article.

  38. خاصیت کرم آبرسان
    | Reply

    Appreciating the persistence you put into your website and detailed information you provide.
    It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed material.
    Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your
    RSS feeds to my Google account.

  40. Residential Epoxy Flooring berkeley county
    | Reply

    Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating it but, I’d like to
    shoot you an e-mail. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
    Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it expand
    over time.

  41. Gary Holloway
    | Reply

    I had a flat tire last week and was in a panic about how to get my car to a shop. Luckily, I found a fantastic towing service that came to my rescue! Highly recommend looking into towing in milwaukee for help when you need it

  42. koitoto
    | Reply

    I was curious if you ever considered changing the layout of your
    website? 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 2 images. Maybe you could space it out better?

  45. Tollywood Collections
    | Reply

    Hi, Neat post. There is an issue with your site in internet explorer, might check this?
    IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a good component of other people will
    pass over your fantastic writing because of this problem.

  48. Charlesicoms
    | Reply

    ‘I’m very impulsive’: Why this American woman moved to France at the age of 70
    жесткое порно бесплатно
    She’d dreamed of living in France for years, but according to Janice Deerwester, originally from Texas, life always seemed to get in the way.

    In 2021, Janice, who has been a widow since 2012, found herself lying on her bed with the lyrics to “Is That All There Is?,” a song about dissatisfaction that was a hit for country singer Peggy Lee back in 1969, playing in her head.

    “I hated that song when it came out, but all of a sudden it came to my mind,” Janice, who was based in Georgia at the time, tells CNN Travel. “I thought, ‘Is this all there is?’ I work, come home tired. I get up. Is this it?”
    Realizing that she wanted more from life, Janice decided there and then that she would relocate to Fontainebleau — the French town she’d had her heart set on since a 2018 visit. Less than a year later, at the age of 70, she did just that.

    “I’m very impulsive so that kind of followed the rule,” she adds.

    Now happily settled in Fontainebleau, located southeast of Paris, Janice feels that she “made the best choice ever” and is incredibly grateful to be living out her fantasy.

    “I am the luckiest woman I feel that ever was,” she says. ”And why I have this, and why I was given this, I have no idea. But I’m just blessed every day that I get to live here.”

    Janice goes on to explain that she wasn’t necessarily unhappy back in Georgia, and enjoyed living on a horse ranch in the country, which she had been renting since selling her home, but was overcome with the feeling that “there’s got to be more” to life.

Leave a Reply

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