We Are Marshall

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
James 1: 2-4 (The Message)

I just watched a really good movie, and it so impacted me, I cannot, not write about it. In November of 1970, there was a horrific plane crash, aboard the plane were most of the members of the Marshall University (Huntington, WV) football team, their coaches and some fans. 75 people lost their life that night, flying home from a game they had just played against East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.

Alot of the townspeople were so devastated by the loss, they did not want to continue Marshall's football program. But one young player, who hadn't been on the plane due to an injury, rallied the school together and petitioned the powers that be to let them play football.

This team had to start from scratch basically. And what a challenge it was. First of all, no one wanted to coach this team, and then when a fellow stepped up to be the coach, he couldn't find anyone who wanted to play on their team. They encountered challenge after challenge, and were beaten their first game.

But when they played their first home game, after the accident, a new spirit seemed to rise up, in the team and in the townspeople and Marshall ended up winning the game 15-13. It was quite the emotional event ... the challenges that were overcome to rise to victory.

The other day I was speaking to a friend of mine who was suffering greatly. Her ex, the father of her little girl had died a few days before and she was so very sad ... why did this have to happen?

I didn't have an answer for her ... I know the townspeople of Huntington didn't have an answer.

What I do know, is that God will turn the bad things into His glory. The phoenix that rose of out of the ashes of that plane wreck drove that town forward, they didn't crawl into a hole and let the world pass them by. They persevered through the challenge.

We all endure hardships - we all have to make our choice of what we do with the trial.


Father, it is so difficult when we are in the midst of the challenge. Help us to walk through adversity your way Lord, so that we come through the other side, stronger. Father I was so touched by this movie, I pray for the families of the people that were lost in that plane crash. I pray Father that they have used and will continue to use that tragedy to grow closer to you.

I Love You Jesus.
In Your Name I Pray,
Amen

God Bless You!

Love,
Joyce