So this week, one year later than planned, the Tokyo Olympics kicked off.
Due to a full schedule I will not be able to watch many of the events live. Even the open ceremonies I was only able to catch in snippets. But if you want to see David Durham turn into a total softy -- if you want to see my heart warmed and my spirit energized -- show me a combination of the beauty of nations and cultures coming together expressed through creativity and innovation. This is why I look forward to the opening ceremony of every Olympic Games.
I suppose this passion was sparked with one of my early readings of a scene in the book of Revelation. I imagine there are as many interpretations of this mysterious book as there are readers of this blog. Whatever your take, the picture of "every tribe, tongue, people, and language" gathered around the throne of God is a beautiful portrayal of the human patchwork that makes up our planet.
Some of you are going to at least snicker at what I'm going to say next, but hey, that's OK. I have always enjoyed the animated movie The Lion King, but when I saw the opening scene on stage in London's West End a few years ago, I choked back tears as all the creatively depicted animals brought their homage to the young prince. All this supported by Elton John and Tim Rice's incredible soundtrack.
So it will be no surprise that I get a little lump in my throat when I see the parade of athletes from 206 different nations, many of them decked out in traditional garb, processing around the arena, each flag proudly announcing its bearers' national identity. And then the eruption of creativity as practically all art forms are employed in an hour-long international festival. (Did you see the heavenly body composed of 1800 drones hovering above the stadium?)
What is it about the Olympics that you most appreciate? Leave your comment below!