3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 208,878

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.

208878 Responses

  2. richard casino no deposit bonus
    | Reply

    Greate article. Keep writing such kind of information on your blog.
    Im really impressed by it.
    Hello there, You have done a great job. I will definitely digg it and in my view suggest to my friends.
    I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this site.

  13. evisa egypt
    | Reply

    Quality articles or reviews is the key to be a
    focus for the people to pay a quick visit the
    web site, that’s what this website is providing.

  16. kita bisa
    | Reply

    Admiring the time and effort you put into your site and in depth information you provide.
    It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed material.
    Fantastic read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to
    my Google account.

  17. goedkope gordijnen
    | Reply

    Wow that was strange. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I
    clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr…
    well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just
    wanted to say wonderful blog!

  18. evisa egypt
    | Reply

    Hello this is kind of of off topic but I was wanting to
    know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with
    HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding skills so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience.
    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  19. 4245300
    | Reply

    We are a bunch of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
    Your web site offered us with helpful information to work
    on. You’ve done an impressive activity and our whole group might be thankful to you.

  21. eldorado-playfusion.quest
    | Reply

    Хотите испытать судьбу? Добро пожаловать в Эльдорадо Казино!
    Здесь вас ждут лучшие слоты, невероятные бонусы и моментальные кэш-ауты!

    Eldorado турнир на деньги.

    Почему тысячи игроков выбирают Eldorado Casino?

    Популярные игровые автоматы от топовых разработчиков.

    Уникальные поощрения при каждом пополнении.

    Вывод без задержек на удобные платежные системы.

    Мобильная версия без ограничений.

    Служба поддержки всегда готовы
    помочь.

    Зарегистрируйтесь и получайте бонусы и ловите удачу по-крупному! https://eldorado-playfusion.quest/

  22. gold for IRA investment at home irs
    | Reply

    I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high quality articles or weblog
    posts in this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled
    upon this web site. Reading this information So i’m happy to show that I’ve a very excellent uncanny feeling I discovered
    just what I needed. I most no doubt will make sure to don?t overlook this web site and provides it a look on a relentless basis.

  27. evisa egypt
    | Reply

    My relatives all the time say that I am wasting my time here
    at web, except I know I am getting experience every day by reading thes fastidious content.

  28. singapore
    | Reply

    whoah this blog is excellent i love studying your articles.
    Keep up the good work! You recognize, many people are searching around for this information, you could help them greatly.

  29. advertise car sexy
    | Reply

    It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate to this brilliant blog!
    I suppose for now i’ll settle for bookmarking
    and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about this website with
    my Facebook group. Talk soon!

  34. Etta Turner
    | Reply

    My mates had been blown away via how trouble-free it changed into to create restaurant-trend muffins with just one software—nitrogen rocks! More recommendations can be found out on Discover more

  42. Джеттон казино
    | Reply

    Добро пожаловать в Jetton Casino – мир развлечений
    и больших выигрышей. В нашем казино вас ждёт широкий выбор игр, щедрые акции и незабываемые
    впечатления. Регистрируйтесь
    и получайте бонусы для успешного
    старта.

    Что делает Jetton games казино регистрация особенным?
    Наши игроки получают не только доступ к топовым играм, но и выгодные условия
    для выигрышей. Каждый пользователь может
    рассчитывать на специальные акции и эксклюзивные награды.

    Коллекция лучших азартных развлечений от мировых провайдеров.

    Регулярные акции и персональные предложения.

    Гарантированная защита данных и мгновенные переводы.

    Соревнования для самых азартных
    игроков с ценными призами.

    Откройте для себя лучшие игровые
    возможности вместе с Jetton Casino. https://delamaster.ru/

  43. advertise car sexy
    | Reply

    At this time it seems like BlogEngine is the preferred blogging platform available right
    now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

  48. Christine Ballard
    | Reply

    If you’re trying to become your area, hiring a official painting visitors could make all of the distinction. They not handiest present expert understanding on color collection and systems however also ensure a amazing conclude St. Louis painters

Leave a Reply

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