Walking through the Munich Tunnel below the South Stand, I was particularly struck by memories of the fatal plane crash on February 6, 1952 in Munich, Germany which claimed 23 lives including eight players, officials, journalists and others. The eight players who died included Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Duncan Edwards, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor, and Billy Whelan. Many of those who survived could never play again.
Having so many of their key and top players killed, maimed and or unable to play football ever again and struggling with emotional and psychological trauma, all hopes for Manchester United were nearly dashed. Shackled by so much despair, prospects of the club ever rising again were extremely gloomy. There were widespread speculations that the Club was going to shut down.
Sir Matt Busby, the club manager from February 1945 to 1969 was arguably the most severely injured survivor of the crash. After a few months Busby rose from his hospital bed to face his near fatal injuries. He fought unyieldingly to overcome his trauma and aches and losses. He began to courageously rebuild the club right from scratch in spite of the widespread despondency. His sheer determination, optimism and tenacity yielded results. In spite of the crutches, his sense of focus spurred him on to change the future and fortunes of Manchester United, and world football at large. Within a decade, Manchester United had risen out of the ashes and gone on to win the European Cup in 1968. The Munich disaster, though tragic and devastating, served as a launch pad to their greatness.
Maybe you’re grieving a loss. Your life is in total despair. Your world around you may have come tumbling down right in front of you. Sorrow, sadness, deep sense of failure, depression, loneliness, heartbreak, dejection and rejection may best describe your current predicament. Don’t give up. God is able to turn your ashes for beauty. You can overcome! In fact you will overcome. For that is God’s promise and desire for you. He is eager to turn your situation around. Here is God’s To-Do-List for you in Isaiah 61:
1.The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2. To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,
3. To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
4. And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations.
5. Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, And the sons of the foreigner Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
6. But you shall be named the priests of the LORD, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast.
7. Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs
Isaiah 61:3-7
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
Hold on. Press on! Go on! For there is HOPE BEYOND THE BREAKING POINT!
More pictures bellow.
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