3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 210,465

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.

210465 Responses

  3. Tollywood
    | Reply

    Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog
    and I’m impressed! Very useful information specifically the last part :
    ) I care for such information a lot. I was seeking this particular information for a long time.
    Thank you and best of luck.

  4. Ola Massey
    | Reply

    Great article on the importance of regular HVAC maintenance! It’s essential for ensuring efficient operation and longevity of the system. I found some useful tips at HVAC repair that can help homeowners keep their systems in top shape

  7. Telegram網頁版
    | Reply

    Telegram官網提供中文版的Telegram下載。不僅有Telegram網頁版、Telegram PC電腦桌面版，還有蘋果手機和安卓應用版本可供選擇。https://www.whathkapp.com，https://www.linawin.com，https://www.web-skypea.com

  13. Tollywood
    | Reply

    Excellent blog you’ve got here.. It’s difficult to find quality writing
    like yours these days. I truly appreciate people like you! Take care!!

  14. anak setan
    | Reply

    I don’t know if it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else encountering issues with your blog.

    It appears as if 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 as well? This could be a issue with my internet browser because
    I’ve had this happen before. Thank you

  19. arkada casino регистрация
    | Reply

    Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice even as you amend
    your site, how can i subscribe for a weblog site? The account helped
    me a appropriate deal. I have been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided vivid transparent idea

  20. autospin777
    | Reply

    A motivating discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you need to
    write more about this subject, it may not be a taboo matter but usually
    people do not speak about these issues. To
    the next! Cheers!!

  21. cbd глушители
    | Reply

    Through his adulthood, he learned that CBD has many beneficial healing properties that can calm tough health issues and the
    problems that they cause. Finally, your health issues and wellness needs will help to determine the
    strength of the CBD oil you choose. Because the body will get used to a dose over
    time, you may find yourself having to repeat this process again, or you might even have to move up to a higher
    oil potency as well. While the business niche this money making opportunity is involved might be
    somewhat dubious, the list of goods does seem to be good if not a bit short.

    This could be as simple as the state making it easier to get a prescription for CBD or the federal
    government legalizing CBD in Australia. Thinking about using an Opioid Prescription treatment for pain? Epidiolex for seizures is the only
    prescription CBD product approved by the FDA.
    It’s easy for a brand to add hempseed oil to a product, adorn it with marijuana leaves,
    and highlight the word cannabis to make consumers think they’re
    purchasing a cbd глушители
    product when it contains no actual CBD at all.

  25. keytamin
    | Reply

    Hi would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re using?
    I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers
    and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most.
    Can you recommend a good internet hosting provider at a
    fair price? Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!

  26. Tollywood
    | Reply

    I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website.
    It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
    Great work!

  27. Eyo Festival
    | Reply

    I’ve been surfing online greater than 3 hours these days,
    but I never found any attention-grabbing article like yours.
    It’s lovely worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made excellent content as you did,
    the web can be much more helpful than ever before.

  28. Antonio Kennedy
    | Reply

    Houston possesses several of the very best places to acquire engagement rings! Whether you favor traditional designs or something extra contemporary, there’s definitely one thing for every person. Be sure to do your study and also go to a number of shops setting

  31. website
    | Reply

    I visited various sites but the audio feature for audio songs present at this site is
    actually excellent.

  35. Tollywood
    | Reply

    I like the helpful info you supply on your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your weblog and take a look at again here regularly.
    I am fairly sure I’ll learn many new stuff right here!
    Best of luck for the next!

  38. mn remodeling
    | Reply

    I’ve been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found
    any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me.

    In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made
    good content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever
    before.

  39. BOKEP INDONESIA
    | Reply

    Hello there! I simply wish to give you a big thumbs up for the great
    info you have got here on this post. I will be returning to your blog for
    more soon.

  44. Tollywood
    | Reply

    I want to to thank you for this fantastic read!!
    I absolutely loved every bit of it. I’ve got you book marked to look at new stuff you post…

  45. Elliott
    | Reply

    Who Is Buy Category C Driving License And Why You Should Consider Buy Category C Driving License Comprar carta de condução categoria B, Elliott,

  46. learn this here now
    | Reply

    Hello i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anyplace,
    when i read this post i thought i could also create comment due to this
    brilliant paragraph.

  50. heyanesthesia.com
    | Reply

    It’s amazing to pay a visit this website and reading
    the views of all mates regarding this article, while I am also eager of getting knowledge.

Leave a Reply

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