Last Saturday I had the immeasurable privilege of attending the opening ceremonies of the Invictus Games at BC Place. If the Invictus Games are new to you, go to https://invictusgames2025.ca where you might find this statement: “The Invictus Games Foundation offers a recovery pathway for international wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women (WIS). We collaborate to provide opportunities for post-traumatic growth: enabling those involved to reclaim their purpose, identity and future, beyond injury.” The games this year are centered around Whistler and bring together 550 competitors from 23 countries all of whom share the experience of recovery from injury in service through sport.
BC Place was full and festive. There was great music. There were encouraging and not too long speeches from dignitaries. Two things struck me most: the palpable spirit of courage, resilience, humility, strength and grace and the stories of recovery from the devastations inherent in the choice to serve and place themselves in harms way for the sake of a greater good.
There is a lot of bad news coming at us all the time. The posturing of bully leaders gives rise to fear, anxiety, even dread for most of us most of the time these days. But while all that is going on, there are powerful and deeply personal battles going on in the lives, minds and bodies of people struggling to recover from the effects of the very global conflicts that those bullying leaders perpetuate. Saturday’s opening ceremonies celebrated those personal battles and the power of the human spirit to recover- the power of the “unconquerable soul.”
For me, Saturday was worship. God was there. Life was celebrated. Humans released joy into the universe. Love was offered and received. The eternal and ultimate victory of love was declared.
Blessings, Will
Minister's Musing February 14th, 2025
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Ministers Musing