This Generation

    Tragedy struck the ice skating world, when, on February 15, 1961, eighteen members of the United States figure skating team along with family members, friends, and coaches, were killed in an airplane crash over Belgium. The flight had been heading to Czechoslovakia with the intent to take part in that years World Figure Skating Championship. In all, seventy two people lost their lives.  

    As officials worked to find the cause (it was eventually linked to a possible failure in the instrument that adjusted the tail stabilizer), the decision was made to completely cancel the 1961 Championships in an effort to show solidarity in the grief. 

    President Kennedy made a public statement offering condolences, and a memorial fund, still in operation today, was set up to provide funds to assist with training and tuition for future skaters.

    The impacts of the accident reached far beyond the participation of the United States in the 1961 competition. Indeed, the U.S. found itself somewhat crippled in respect to figure skating for the next number of years. An entire generation of skaters had been wiped out. Some of the top coaches had been killed and were no longer available to train new skaters. 

    In desperation, some very young skaters were pushed to compete at higher levels than normal. A few retired skaters returned to competition. Coaches from other countries were invited to America to assist in training and rebuilding a team from scratch.

    What an impact losing even one generation can have! It doesn't matter if you are part of an older generation or a younger one, youth, young parent, middle aged, or elder, there is still a part for you to play in God's Church. Satan likes to fiddle with the little things, a bolt here, a latch there, maybe the mechanics of some part we are so used to working that we forget to check on it. You know the parts: humility, child training, living by faith, generosity, hospitality, keeping the Sabbath, and all the rest. 

    It is up to each generation to do its part to keep our plane flying. Times change, it is true, but the Church needs the enthusiasm and energy of youth and the wisdom of the elders. Bible-based convictions will not be out of style with those seeking to grow in their Christian lives in spite of the internet providing appealing ideas readily at our fingertips. 

    As we stay faithful and humble, willing to listen and understand one another, the love of God will only bring us closer to each other and to Him. While He has promised that His Church will last until the end, I want to have a greater vision of the beauty that is possible if all generations pray together, trust each other, and build together. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. (Psalms 145:3-4)

   Someday we will stand together at the gates of Heaven, tired and battle-worn, it is true, but thankful for the help of each generation, the passing down of wisdom, and the wonderful plan God has provided for persons of any age to fill a place in His earthly Kingdom.