How do i insert function inside table without calling it?

I have multiple functions that I want it to be called randomly in my script. However, when I actually insert it inside the table, the function starts to run and I can`t find a way to stop it. I am kind of thinking to do it like this.

local function mission1()
    --Run
end
local function mission2()
    --Run
end
local function mission3()
    --run
end

local missionTable = {mission1,mission2,mission3) --Somehow the function runs in this line as ordered, which is unwanted because it takes so long for every function to finish running.

local pickedMission = math.random(1,#missionTable)

missionTable[pickedMission]

. However, when I use this code, the function starts to run when I am inserting the function into the table. Is there a way to call these functions without having to run when inserting into the code?

I could also think of this way, but this looks very inefficient and overwhelming if I have tons of function to pick from.

local function mission1()
    --Run
end
local function mission2()
    --Run
end
local function mission3()
    --run
end

local missionPicked = math.random(1,3)
if missionPicked == 1 then
    mission1()
elseif missionPicked == 2 then
    mission2()
elseif missionPicked == 3 then
    mission3()
end