Hello, my name is Abi. I have a passion for theater, music, playing the ukulele, and following Jesus. I was a missionary kid in Belize until God called me to DTS in the fall of 2023. DTS is one of the most life-changing schools, and God will use it to transform your entire being. You can apply what you learn in Phase One, both in class and through lectures, to your everyday life. In this testimony, I will share about the two major takeaways from my DTS experience that brought the most freedom: the importance of joyful repentance and quality time with God.
Hatred Stirs Up Conflict
Learning about joyful repentance was so eye-opening to me! Throughout my life, I held onto so much bitterness – bitterness from relationships and circumstances. This bitterness caused anger, and just as Proverbs says, ‘Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs’ (Proverbs 10:12). I knew I needed freedom but didn’t know how to get it. On one of the first days of class, our teacher taught us about repentance. Tears were streaming down my face as I remembered all the relationships in my life that needed restoration and reconciliation. I had years of anger and bitterness built up, but I was not willing to be open with others.
It was then that I knew something in my heart needed to change, and I wanted to be made right with God. When you are right with God, your soul is free. I started to get excited to apologize because of the freedom I would experience! I called and repented to my family and friends for the past mistakes I had made and the effect that it had on them. I apologized to God and received His forgiveness, and afterwards, I felt so free! Repentance opens doors with others and with God. It leads you to so much freedom.
Joyful Repenting
I learned that not only do we need to repent, but we can repent joyfully. Why can we joyfully repent? Because Jesus paid the price for our sins, and when we draw near to Him in humility, He will meet us with love, mercy, and forgiveness. Joyfully repenting to God and those whom I had hurt or wronged transformed my pain and anger into peace. I came to DTS confused and burdened by the weight of sin, but I came out healed and restored, mainly because of the simple but powerful act of repentance.
Joyfully repenting to God and those whom I had hurt or wronged transformed my pain and anger into peace.
Repentance is not only about outwardly apologizing; it’s primarily a heart posture before God. It involves a heartfelt conviction of sin, a turning away from the sinful, old way of life, and turning towards God, seeking to walk in obedience and honor to Him. Repentance heals and sets you free! It liberates you from sin, anger, and bitterness. The Bible says, ‘If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land’ (2 Chronicles 7:14). If you yearn for healing in your life, I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything in your heart that may need to be confessed and repented of, both to God and others. He will forgive you and help you walk in His ways!
Accounting For Your Time
Another thing I learned in DTS was how important having quality time with God is. To have an intimate and growing relationship with Jesus, it is foundational and crucial to spend in God’s presence.
Each week of Phase One, we were given an accountability sheet to keep track of our time spent with Him for the purpose of accountability. We were challenged to spend time reading the Bible, praying, and spending time with God for at least 30 minutes a day. YWAM Lancaster does this because it holds us, as students, to a higher standard and to teach the value of prioritizing the presence of God.
Some of my most influential moments during my DTS were my quiet times with the Lord. During those times, I read the Bible, listened to worship music, and talked to God like I would a friend. God is a God of relationship, and He cares about us so much that He wants to spend time with us. As I grew in a deeper relationship with Him, I saw and experienced His character and nature. I learned how loving, gentle, and forgiving He is. The teachings throughout the weeks were a crucial part of my journey with Jesus, but I truly grew when I spent one-on-one, set-apart time with Him. Through spending time with God, I found freedom in my identity. I often struggled with knowing who I was and the truth God said about me. The more I spent time with God, the more I began to know who I am. God speaks identity and purpose over my life, just as Genesis says “You are made in God’s image.” (Genesis 1:27).
God has often given me visions and spoken to me in His soft, still voice. It’s crazy how a God so big would want to spend time with me! You too will find so much freedom in spending time with the Lord daily.
He Waits: Be Ready
He is waiting for you so He can reveal Himself in personal ways! All you have to do is be ready. Start by setting aside 30 minutes a day. Read 15 minutes of the Bible and pray with the Lord for the remaining 15. Listen to what the Lord is speaking to you during this half-hour.
Overall, DTS has truly changed me in many ways. This is a testimony of how, through joyful repentance and quality time with the Lord, I have found so much healing and breakthrough. God has shown me His grace as I continue to discover the joy of repentance and make Him a priority!
