When I talk about my experience in missions with a YWAM DTS, I hear over and over again “wow, someday I hope I get to do something like that” or “I wish God called me to missions.” These are genuine things to say; But you don’t have to hold onto these dreams or desires. You can make them happen.
Missions is a big step, but it’s not out of reach for you. That’s what I love about YWAM’s Discipleship Training School (DTS). It’s a short term commitment that can give you a foundation in living for Jesus. Whether that's in another country or in a career you are passionate about we believe God wants to make your dream of "someday" today. Here are some helpful questions to turn your dreams into reality.
If I’m honest, I do not always put Jesus first in my life. As a missionary, how could that be? I still have many of the same stresses that lots of people struggle with: job, finances, family, and so on.
Part of intimacy with Jesus is learning to recognize when other things take over his place in my life, and to recenter my life once again around Him. When I do that Jesus starts working. Missions was a something that for many years of my life I couldn’t see, or I was too afraid to take seriously.
It was when I began making space for Jesus, that I had the strength to consider the possibilities He put before me. I want to bear fruit (John 15:8) and let my light shine (Matt. 5:16), but I find I can only do this when Christ is my center.
Sometimes you have to wait on God’s timing, but other times he is calling you right now. The question is can will you listen? When I decided to join YWAM the clouds didn’t part, a heavenly ray of sunlight didn’t fall on me, or a deep voice from above didn’t speak to me (not to say these things won't happen), but instead a still, gentle thought kept coming back to me asking me to consider giving a year to missions work.
God loves us, and longs to communicate with us, and I believe if we are willing to silence the fears, lies, worries, and opinions of others, we can hear Him. So maybe it’s time to ask God, when someday is and be willing to be patient in His timing, but also obedient to His call.
It may seem like a scary step, but it might be the step you need to chase your dream.
When I was nineteen, I thought I had my life pretty well planned out. I knew “what” I wanted to do in life and “how” I was going to do it. However, I couldn’t fully explain “why”. I’ve spent so much of my life longing. I thought that if I did everything I could to please God that longing would go a way. That longing never went away.
God isn't concerned with the things you do to please Him. He's concerned about you. What do you get excited about? what changes do you want to make in this world? God is calling you to be the change you want to see, and He put gifts inside of you to accomplish those changes.
Sometimes we see the problem and we don't know how to solve it. Maybe that’s what you’re feeling right now. Take some time to listen to what God is saying to you. Don’t give up on your “someday," it might be so much closer than you think.