3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 240,954

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.

240954 Responses

  1. des
    | Reply

    Hiya very cool web site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing ..
    I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally?
    I am happy to find so many helpful information here in the post, we need work out more techniques in this regard, thank you for sharing.
    . . . . .

  4. situs olxtoto
    | Reply

    Hello every one, here every one is sharing such knowledge,
    thus it’s pleasant to read this blog, and I used to go
    to see this blog everyday.

  12. slut
    | Reply

    It’s an remarkable post in favor of all the internet
    viewers; they will take advantage from it I am sure.

  14. Jackpot bet online
    | Reply

    I ѡas curious if yоu ever thought οf changing the paցe layout of ｙour blog?
    Іtѕ very well wгitten; I love what youve got to say.
    But maybе yⲟu could a little more in the way ᧐f content so people ϲould connect ԝith it better.
    Youve got аn awful ⅼot օf text fⲟr only having
    1 ᧐r two pictures. Μaybe you ϲould space іt out better?

    Hｅrｅ is my web-site Jackpot bet online

  16. my blog
    | Reply

    Goodd day! This is my first visit to үour blog! We aгe a collection of volunteers
    ɑnd starting а new initiative in a community in the ѕame niche.
    Yoսr blog pr᧐vided us usefyl informatіon to woгk on. Ⲩou
    hae dоne a wonderful job!

  19. Crown Pokies
    | Reply

    Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic but
    I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site?
    I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking
    at options for another platform. I would be
    great if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

  22. Car window tinting Franklin TN
    | Reply

    hey there and thank you for your info –
    I have certainly picked up anything new from right here.
    I did however expertise some technical issues using this website, as I experienced to reload the web site many times previous
    to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if
    your hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and could damage your high quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.

    Well I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for a
    lot more of your respective intriguing content. Make sure you update this again very soon.

  23. ezcasino.cc
    | Reply

    Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Many thanks,
    However I am having troubles with your RSS. I don’t know why
    I am unable to join it. Is there anybody getting identical
    RSS issues? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond?

    Thanks!!

  25. xnxx.com
    | Reply

    The other day, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iPad
    and tested to see if it can survive a forty foot drop,
    just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now destroyed and she has
    83 views. I know this is entirely off topic
    but I had to share it with someone!

  26. best online casino bonus
    | Reply

    Hiya very nice blog!! Guy .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark
    your website and take the feeds also? I’m happy to seek out a lot of useful info here in the publish,
    we’d like work out extra strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing.

    . . . . .

  27. Trade Flarex
    | Reply

    Awesome blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers?

    I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything.

    Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There
    are so many options out there that I’m completely overwhelmed ..
    Any recommendations? Bless you!

  29. پودر فلفل قرمز خوب
    | Reply

    of course like your web-site but you have to check the
    spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife
    with spelling issues and I in finding it very
    troublesome to tell the reality however I will surely
    come again again.

  30. مطالب جدید گزارش فوری
    | Reply

    سلام به همه دوستان، این خبر خیلی حیرت‌انگیز بود.
    با یه سایت خبری عالی آشنا شدم که اطلاعاتش
    موثق و به‌روزه. اگه می‌خوای اخبار معتبر بخونی،
    حتماً یه نگاه بنداز.

  31. miototo
    | Reply

    Superb post however , I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this
    subject? I’d be very thankful if you could
    elaborate a little bit more. Many thanks!

  34. مطالب دیگر دزفول پیک
    | Reply

    سلام همه دوستان، كاملاً شيفته‌ی
    بررسي اين شدم خبر به وجد اومدم.
    يه وبسايت خبري جذاب دارم كه خبرهاش دقيق و
    تازه‌ست. اگه دوست داري اخبار موثق بشنوي،
    نگاه كن.

  36. bathroom remodeling
    | Reply

    I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
    Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
    Plz reply as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to know where u got this from.
    kudos

  37. esta for usa from uk
    | Reply

    Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site
    before but after browsing through a few of the posts I realized it’s new to me.
    Nonetheless, I’m certainly happy I discovered it and I’ll be book-marking
    it and checking back often!

  38. Trade Vector AI
    | Reply

    Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
    Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?

  40. Link Slot
    | Reply

    Hello! I’ve been following your weblog for a while now and finally got the
    courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Atascocita
    Tx! Just wanted to say keep up the good job!

  42. do i need a visa from uk to usa
    | Reply

    Thank you a lot for sharing this with all folks you
    actually understand what you’re speaking approximately!
    Bookmarked. Please additionally discuss with my web site =).
    We may have a hyperlink trade agreement among us

  46. 비아그라 구매 사이트
    | Reply

    Awesome blog! Do you have any hints for aspiring writers?
    I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything.

    Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or
    go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there
    that I’m completely overwhelmed .. Any recommendations?
    Thanks a lot!

  47. Buy Cannabis Online
    | Reply

    Hey there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and starting
    a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to
    work on. You have done a outstanding job!

  48. buy online telegram members
    | Reply

    I was wondering if you ever considered changing the structure of your site?
    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 one or two images.
    Maybe you could space it out better?

  49. BitCan
    | Reply

    First off I want to say great blog! I had a quick question which I’d
    like to ask if you don’t mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your head prior to
    writing. I’ve had a tough time clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out there.
    I do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like
    the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually lost just trying to figure out
    how to begin. Any recommendations or tips? Kudos!

Leave a Reply to baking soda for ed Cancel reply

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