We’re in the middle of winter. For me, one of the highlights of this season will be the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. I’ve already scratched the dates into my calendar: Feb. 10 to 26. I want to make sure I take some time to watch the events on TV and do some reading about them in the press. Why? I think the Olympics Games are more than a cultural and sporting moment. They are also a spiritual event. I try to picture how God will observe the Winter Olympics. The Lord God will bless the beauty of the setting in his creation — the Italian Alps, very beautiful mountains and valleys. He will delight in so many people of many cultures and places coming together in peace. He will give breath and life and talent to all the athletes. He will lavish energy upon all the fans. He will be present in each of the chapels set up for the athletes and for everyone else. The Lord will scatter joy everywhere, and he will mend any wounds and injuries that are sure to happen. All the throbbing hearts and energetic faces will give God pleasure. I’m going to ask the Lord to feed my soul during the Olympic Games — to strengthen my passion for peace, my zeal to live life fully, my courage to take risks for his sake, to appreciate the gifts and talents in all the world’s peoples. I want to be a better person for having watched and engaged in some way in the Turin Winter Olympics. The heart of winter holds remarkable spiritual opportunities. Imagine God having a great hope for each of us: that this winter be a rich time for us. I hear God saying, "Don’t let this winter go to waste. Open your eyes and look about. I have surprises for you."