craigdailypress.com

On Wednesday, I had the opportunity and invitation to attend the nationally recognized "See You at the Pole" campaign or rally.

It is a time when Christian youths usually come together around their high school flag poles before school starts in the morning.

It is a time to pray for all the needs of their schools, administrators, principals, teachers, fellow students and themselves.

This year, it was sort of cold, but we stayed the course and remained around the flag pole until 7:45 a.m., when we held hands and went around the circle praying.

By then, many students were arriving for school.

What I discovered was how much courage it took for the students who came to pray to be there.

I am sure as we bowed our heads and held hands that there were lots of stares, and during the time of praying, there was some taunting.

I guess I was a little surprised at this response. That was when I realized the challenge students face on a day-to-day basis.

Being at the flag pole took courage.

Moffat County High School students made choices Wednesday, just like Esther did in Esther 7: 1-6, when she had the courage from God to seek protection for the lives of her Jewish people from her king, King Ahasuerus.

Esther chose to align herself with her Jewish people.

Because of Esther's courage, she saves her Jewish community from people who are hostile to her race.

Esther could have said nothing - she could have just hoped for the best, but instead she spoke the truth, in front of Haman, the man who conspired to kill the Jewish people, "For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated," Esther 7: 4a.

In addition to the courage I saw demonstrated at the flag pole, I recognized an inner strength these students have, and by coming together, they are stronger as a whole by their unity and cooperation.

This cooperative Christian Spirit breaks down barriers, and when the walls come down, I see even more possibilities of working together to relieve suffering in our community and in the world.

We are enriched by one another's faith. And the Craig community is the benefactor of this cooperation.

Students at the flag pole modeled that very well Wednesday.

You have the opportunity to explore and experience this cooperative Christian Spirit again Sunday at the Boys and Girls Club of Craig when Love INC sponsors the third annual Pig Roast Fundraiser.

The doors will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come support Love INC and discover, just as the youths who modeled for everyone their cooperation, what God can do.

Choices, courage, and cooperation for God's purpose are not always easy.

Esther prepared herself through prayer and fasting otherwise she would not have been able to be courageous and face the King and the evil Haman.

Students have those same challenges, and at times, we all do.