In celebration of World Poetry Day, this poem just might be the needed inspiration to know that God speaks. Psalm 32:8 declares, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you." Twelve years ago I did my DTS and learned more about hearing from God. I read this inspirational book, Is That Really You, God by the founder of YWAM, Loren Cunningham, and the stories left me wide-eyed and wonder-filled. Learning to hear God's voice is a key part of all YWAM Discipleship Training Schools. I'm thankful I devoted five months of my life for this unique training. If you're wrestling with what it means to hear God's voice then do a DTS. You'll get to read this book and discover truths about Jesus that'll change your life.
Loren Cunningham was twenty years old when a vision passed before his eyes
Huge waves were rolling in, but they were different than he usually recognized
They were waves of young people, like himself, marching onto the sandy shores
Missionaries in their teens and early twenties were walking through each continents’ doors
The arresting vision stayed with him for many years to come
He couldn’t explain it really, yet knew the Source where it was from
For on that ordinary day, God had opened his eyes to see
Championing young people to go into all the world would be his destiny
Learning to hear God’s voice became essential in this man’s life
God often spoke through others like his parents, friends, and wife
But God also spoke through His Word and to his mind, stirring this young man’s heart
Go ye into all the world was a continual reminder that he too had a part
Often God spoke spectacular things, greater than his mind could conceive
And then other times God spoke very convicting words that he, too, had to heed
Having a clean heart before God was needed for God’s guidance and blessing
Bitterness towards those who rejected him became something he ended up confessing
A week of prayer and fasting, became a turning point in his life and ministry
Confession to God and man was key for God’s guidance he firmly believed
It was in New Zealand that the vision of waves began to take shape like never before
Young men and women, who once were hardened, started crying out to the Lord
After that time of deep probing, new ideas started coming forth
A short-term school where young people could learn, became part of YWAM’s core
In Switzerland, YWAM’s first School of Evangelism began to take shape
Thirty-six students from five nations gathered in an old hotel to be taught God’s ways
Through this first school, God began to raise up ministers to go into all the world
Schools and outreaches in many nations were beginning to unfurl
God was gaining the victory in all the places YWAM was traveling
But through the successes a great danger regarding guidance was also unraveling
It was on a trip to Hong Kong that God brought to mind a ship
“Is this You, God?” was Loren’s first question, for if not he wanted no part of it
He knew this task would not be easy and would require a great amount of work
But God showed him that this ship was apart of his future to help those who were hurt
It wasn’t until years later that the ship actually became a reality
An important lesson had to be learned first about worshipping God solely
A dream had to die and hearts be humbled for this lesson to be learned
A hunger for the Guider and not His guidance in Loren’s heart was deeply burned
And so the story ends with many amazing miracles taking place
University to the Nations was founded and Mercy Ministries took shape
YWAM has become like that huge wave of young people crashing upon the shores
Praise God, for many from all over the world are hungry to know Him more
When we call, God promises to answer, and what He shows us will surely be great
What we hear will change people, even nations if we let Him lead the way
Take five months out of your life and get to know God! You'll learn what it means to hear His voice, and you'll gain insight into how to make Him known in the world.
