Dreaming Big

Silken Laumann is the woman in the yoga pose painted by Bowmanville artist Jane Eccles. Silken is also the former Olympic medalist in rowing who now offers inspirational messages at various venues including schools. She was in town for a couple of days this week and we heard her. I can say that she was vibrant and animated and --yes-- inspirational. She was certainly worth hearing as she told the familiar story of personal triumph over what could have been a career ending accident.

If you recall, she was at the pinnacle of her skills when rammed by another rowing shell. Even though she was told that she might someday row again recreationally and walk with a limp this wasn't enough for her. She managed to recover for the Olympics in only ten weeks and somehow captured a bronze medal.

I appreciated what Silken had to say about imagination. She encouraged us to believe in the power of imagination to propel us toward our goals. Of course her personal journey included countless hours of gruelling work-outs and boring repetition but she began with the dream of being an Olympic athlete.

One of our readings for this week says "your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams and your young men shall see visions." This passage from Joel is quoted by the disciple Peter on the day of Pentecost as he invites people to become followers of Christ.

We need to be as imaginative and "dreamy" and Spirit-filled as we can be in a time when many churches seem to be puttering along without enough air in their tires. Another of the passages this week is a reminder to run the race and keep the faith. I hope we have it in us.