God's Coaching #318

God's Coaching #318

The weather was bad. The plane was too low. On the night of November 14, 1970, a DC-9 airplane hit a hilltop, crashed, and exploded. The passengers were the Marshall University Thundering Herd football team, coaches, and booster-club members flying home after a game against East Carolina University. All 75 people on board were killed. It was the worst air tragedy in American sports history. Marshall and the entire state of West Virginia mourned the loss.

Jack Lengyel was hired to be the new coach and rebuild the football program that had been completely wiped out. His team was made up of a few returning players who hadn’t made the trip, the former freshman team, and walk-on players. It took a long time for the school and community to grieve. But the new football coach gave them hope. By the 1990s, Marshall had become the winningest football team of the decade. The tragedy has never been forgotten, and the rebirth of Marshall—the team and the school—is still an inspiration.

What’s the Score?

Most tragedies are hard to understand. They make us ask God why. Most of the time there are no good answers except that our world is broken by sin. It breaks God’s heart even more than ours to see the terrible things that happen. One day he will make everything right again. Until then, victims of tragedies need lots of help from God and from other people to heal.

God can and does bring hope. We have his promise that he can use our worst pain and suffering and turn it into something good—maybe even better than before. The apostle Paul, who went through a lot of suffering, wrote, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28, NIV). Maybe we’ll be stronger than we were. Maybe we can help other people facing similar hard times. Or maybe we can find a solution or cure to keep others from suffering like we did. That’s hard to imagine in the middle of pain, but God can give hope for a brand-new future.

On the Ball

Do you know someone who is hurting? Let that person know you care by writing an encouraging note, offering to talk, or just saying, “I’m sorry about what happened.” Pray for God’s goodness to show through.

Coach’s Comment

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)