Ottawa – The Spiritual Journey

Wow guys – I’m sorry about my inconsistent blogging! I’ve been pretty good about blogging every day but with traveling and being sick and work being busy – the blogs remain in my head for a few days longer than I’d like! But as promised…here is the spiritual journey I took to and from Ottawa, Ontario last weekend.

Chris and I have had our hearts set on London for a while. We weren’t quite sure why but we figured that we would do all in our power to be prepared for anything God might want to do. So this past winter we got our passports (can’t be sent if you can’t get in!). Well the passports came in…and a few weeks later an offer to visit Canada appeared in front of us. “Sure!” was our automatic response. There was something about Canada that just seemed…appealing. We didn’t care the cost or time, we just knew that we wanted to go (I give Joel partial credit for this…being all Canadian and cool). Anyway, as the trip approached the excitment grew. Something inside of me knew that I’d fall in love with the city and the people. And as most of you know, it happened. I’m in love haha.

Rachelle and Tyler amazed me. It was so great to spend a weekend with 2 people who are so incredibly in love with Jesus that they can’t help but talk about him all of the time. Walking up and down the streets of downtown Ottawa Rachelle thought nothing of speaking in a normal tone about how awesome Jesus is for saving her. She shared her testimony and was eager to hear ours. And man, Tyler is even bolder and louder for Jesus than she is! Tyler amazes me. He’s just this cool guy with such an amazing heart and passion. A guy who has literally seen miracles and knows the power of God. He lives his life with boldness. Seriously. This couple is amazingly contagious. Within minutes of being with them something inside of me felt humbled. “Why aren’t I like them? Why does my voice resemble a whisper IF the name of Jesus comes off of my tongue in a public place? I WANT TO BE MORE LIKE THEM.” Rachelle greets EVERYONE. She doesn’t get offended if she walks into a store and someone doesn’t say hi to her because she’s already said hello to them with a smile and joy that should be trademarked.

It got me thinking…if we truly believe that Jesus is king and we’re really trying to take our town/city/state/country back from the devil…why do we let unbelievers determine what we do and say? I’ve never heard anyone pray over food in a restaurant as loud as Tyler did Sunday morning. He’s not afraid of what people think. In fact. He knows what people think and is doing everything he can to change their minds.

And then there is the rest of the HEAT Worship Team. Each person individually is on their own amazing adventure through being a Christian. It was so great to sit around with them, listen to their stories and have discussions with them about books, movies, music, ministry and God.

HEAT really taught me about freedom and boldness. Normally I’m a shy worshipper. I go into my own little world and move around a little but mostly just lift my hands and praise God in my head and heart. HEAT taught me to worship God with EVERYTHING I am…and that includes my body. I was jumping around the dance floor with freedom that I haven’t felt in a long time. Free to dance. Free to sing and to shout and to be myself. I just closed my eyes, focused on God and went to that secret place where I was free.

The last thing I want to say is that this trip made me realize how little I pray and carry Jesus with me. Of course I believe in Him and love Him but I realized that a true Christian has Jesus inside of him/her at all times. A true Christian thanks Jesus for the smallest of things, not just the biggest. When someone is in love, they can’t stop talking about the person they’re in love with…shouldn’t we be the same with God? If we say that we love Him, we should be acting like we LOVE him. We need to be praying constantly if that’s what it takes to not forget about Him.

Anyway, I can’t think of a pretty way to end this blog so I’ll end it by saying this: Thank you Ottawa. You changed my life.