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Was leaving the comforts of home to do YWAM a good idea?

Aug 30, 2016 3:18:28 PM

Was leaving the comforts of home to come do a DTS a good idea? 

This is the question on my mind as I look out the plane window on the way to my DTS outreach. 

I have a love/hate relationship with adventure. I love seeing new sights and meeting new people, but there is a piece of me that will always miss the comforts of "home”. I realize God is using this tension to reveal deeper truths to me: what the home I really should be longing for is.

The Longing for Home

I think a sense of home is essential for sanity and rest. I’ve been longing for this because my early-twenties has included a lot of transitions (the latest being this YWAM DTS). But what can I truly say home is? My definition of home is often watered down by my attachment to comfortable things or relationships. What happens when you become uprooted from those relationships or comforts? What is our identity outside of those things? This is what DTS has done to me. 

The Difficult of Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone

If I could turn this plane around, maybe I would. I am only human and my small vision can be blinded by fear. Going on outreach is so outside of my comfort zone.

If I truly want to commit to growth, obedience, and loving my neighbors, I have to consider the unavoidable reality of discomfort.

When I signed up for DTS, I knew God would challenge me to “come and see” His character and His world. I long to live a better story, and what’s a good story without challenge and triumph?

But I have two voices in my head and they are at odds with one another. One says, “stay home, don’t do missions, build your own kingdom.” The other voice tells me, “you can do it, I want to show you greater purpose, I was with you in the USA and I will be with you on outreach.” Which voice will win?

As I turn to scripture, the truth begins to speak louder. Acts 17:28 says, "In Him we live and move and have our being.” I had read this verse before in church, but for the first time I think I am experiencing this truth.

Far from my comfy couch in California, I’ll rest tonight in the perspective that God is my home. There is a teacher, a helper, an advocate who wants us to walk about the cabin of our world and stretch our trusting legs. There is a father who wants what is best for his kids, and I am one of those kids. It doesn’t stop there! There is a world out there that doesn’t know this truth.

Fear Turns Into Excitement

My fear turns to excitement as I ponder stepping off this plane in a couple of hours and spending 3 months in a place that needs to hear the truth of the gospel. And just like that, I have another story to tell: one of God's faithfulness in my weakness. He can be trusted. And because he is here, even on this plane, I can say with confidence: despite the discomfort, I’m really home.


DTS was the avenue for me to get out of my comfort zone, experience God’s truth, and share it with others. If I can do it, you can too!

Interested in Jesus, adventure, and growing in your faith?

Do a Discipleship Training School, YWAM’s flagship missionary training course. It's a great gap year option. It's also perfect for anyone looking to step out of the ordinary and grow in your faith.

How does it work?

First, you’ll spend 3 months getting to know God amongst a vibrant Christian community and the inspiring beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Then you’ll embark on a life-changing 2-month overseas missions trip, focused on making God known. A new DTS starts every September, January, April, and June! Submit your info below to learn more. 

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