We find ourselves in an interesting spot as a team this year. Building the Banquet and Ball has its challenges that present themselves well before the spiritual warfare that is present throughout the whole event appears (it turns out the demonic has a vested interest in hiding your true identity from you). It’s a wonder we’ve made it so far so quickly! Thank you all for your prayers, because they are mighty and have helped us a lot.
Right now our biggest task is to refine and reiterate the teaching and the world behind the curtain. While doing this work, I realized that of the many things it takes to make the Banquet and Ball work, there are four central Pillars that every successful ball has had. These Pillars are beyond worth discussion, with the real challenge being in doing so in such a way that the experience is not spoiled for the uninitiated. I will attempt to walk this tight rope in the hopes that my doing so will help ignite an excitement for our first time attendees, and for our veteran attendees gift you with the familiar warmth of nostalgia. so without further ado, we begin this series with…..
Wonder
Wonder is a feeling of great surprise, admiration, and pleasure that typically manifests when you see something that is very beautiful, or when something happens that breaks your expectations. It is the spark that ignites human curiosity and drives us into the unknown. It fuels our imagination, propelling us to question the world around us and seek deeper understanding. It is the feeling you have when a magician makes something disappear right before your eyes. It’s the feeling you have at the top of a mountain when you look out at all the valleys and hills beneath you. It is the feeling you have when you stare up at the sky on a clear night and see a painted canvas of stars, planets, comets and constellations.
Now, logic will tell us that an elephant can’t really teleport or become invisible. We may be able to climb a mountain, however our impact on the mountain will only exist as long as we believe it does. We may be able to launch satellites and may one day walk on a different planet from our own, but our place in the universe is ultimately a small one. And at the same time, Wonder tells us that there is still a mystery to our universe, and a certain magic to its creation. And most importantly, Wonder helps us acknowledge that all of this was created for us. When we experience Wonder, whether through scientific discovery, artistic expression, or simply marveling at our universe, we are reminded of the vastness of human potential and the limitless possibilities we were created for. Wonder encourages us to ask “what if?” and embark on journeys of discovery, both outwardly into the universe and inwardly into ourselves.
In essence, the power of wonder lies not only in its ability to ignite our curiosity and creativity but also in its capacity to unite us in a shared sense of wonderment and possibility. It reminds us that the world is full of marvels waiting to be explored and understood, encouraging us to embrace the unknown with open minds and hearts.
How does this relate to the Ball?
If you are a first time attendee, you will have to find out for yourself. I apologize, however if it is spoiled for you here, it will mean way less to you when it matters. If only because you may choose to compare how you feel at the Ball to this article and try to make excuses as to why the Ball means nothing to you. Because if it’s my fault for spoiling it, it can never be your fault not wanting to accept Wonder and what it could mean for your life. Ultimately, your experience is your own. There will be moments during this event where you will have the choice to experience Wonder. I encourage you, with the true courage found in ultimate vulnerability, take it.
And if you are a Veteran, you already know how, but may have allowed yourself to forget. After all, you are oh so busy with life. With work or your business, with the day to day life of tending to your family, with any number of valid reasons that you should be paying attention to. Or with any number of invalid reasons, because if you forget about wonder you don’t have to take responsibility for its absence from your life. I ask you to remember your first Banquet and Ball. To try to recall how you truly felt throughout the whole event. Remember the Wonder you felt standing in the midst of true beauty, and stood amongst the truly honorable.
Our age is one that does not want you to know how good Life can be. How good and honorable you can be. Oh how easy it is to let the Banquet and Ball be nothing more than a fun party, or a good memory due to be forgotten! But it does not have to be so! Wonder was made for you! It can be found anywhere and everywhere, and if you have a hard time seeing it, I have found the easiest place to see It is on new years eve, dressed in my best and prepared to go out and live as a Man amongst truly Wonderful Men and Women. If you are brave enough to look, maybe you could see it too.