This picture was taken on the first day of my DTS five months ago. This was the day my life truly began.
This was the day I met my best friends. I would soon be so close to them that you couldn't pull us apart. This was the day I started my walk with Jesus.
Those of you who went to church with me in high school, yes, I knew the Lord. I loved Him, but I didn't follow His word. I didn't listen to Him. I didn't believe in His miracles.
This was the day I'd have my picture taken, with no idea I'd be able to look back and see how much I changed.
You see, I was smiling in that picture, but I was terrified. I was depressed and anxious. I felt so uncomfortable. People were accepting me for who I was when I didn't even know them. They didn't know me or my story. They didn't know how I had messed up, but they welcomed me anyway.
The next day, I would wake up at 6 am and have my first quiet time at YWAM Tyler. I would go to my first class and hear from my school leader. I would learn to pray before everything, which I thought was weird at first. I would rise. I would be strong. I would cry.
I would begin opening up and trusting people for the first time in years. I would feel okay. I would feel safe. I would go to the prayer chapel, sit in front of the map and wonder where the Lord would lead me. I would fall more and more in love with Jesus and His story and His ministry.
I would begin working to finish the Great Commission. I would laugh so hard. I would have fellowship. I would have time with Carly Snyder, who was a major part of my spiritual support in DTS, and wonder if she judged me because of my story. She didn't because she's amazing.
I would walk into the wonder of who Jesus is. I would get lost in His mystery. I started gaining authority. I started healing. I started feeling the cracks in my heart mend.
Prayers and words of encouragement were spoken over me. I would overcome my sadness.
One day in class, the teacher said, "God doesn't want to keep us from having fun." Those simple words changed the course of my life. I lived a sullen, sad life, never finding joy that lasted. I understood that God wanted me to have fun and have a good life. He wants me to be happy!
I would see victory. I would see men and women fall on their faces in the presence of the Lord worshipping Him. I started leading worship for those around me. I prayed over others. I saw Jesus keep His promises. I graduated tonight. But this isn't the end.
~ Emma Goodall, DTS Graduate
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