I went to a weight lifting competition recently where my wife was coaching a couple of the lifters. It was a small competition but diverse. Some lifters were mere teenagers, some were competing for the first time, and some were there in hopes of performing well enough to advance to a national competition.
Never too old
There was one lifter who competed in a class by himself. Wearing a Sikh head covering and worn out knee braces, Randy (short for Randip) approached the platform and gave it his best effort:
His fellow competitors joined the spectators in cheering Randy on. Randy, who spoke little English and had a friend translating for him during the sign-ups, might not have understood everything the crowd was shouting, but he knew they were urging him on to complete the lift.
He did.
In fact, Randy performed well enough to qualify for the most senior competition on the national level. Why the most senior class of competitors?
Because Randy is over 75 years old.
Never too late
Old and young people alike think about God, wondering who he is and whether to bother with him. The longer this goes on, the more a person probably thinks it’s too late to do anything about it.
It’s not.
The Lord … is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9.)
And in his patience, today is always a good day to turn to him, as the Ethiopian official did when he learned of Jesus.
As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” … Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. (Acts 8:36-38.)
Indeed, what can stand in the way of you being in a relationship with Jesus? Turn to him now.
And if you already belong to him recall too that nothing can stand in the way of serving him. What has God called you to do? It’s never too late and you’re never too old to do it.
Remember Randy and get out there and try. In God’s strength you’ll complete the lifting he has given into your hands.
***
Randy is an inspiration, Tim. Wow. Richard plays squash every couple of weeks with a 75+-year-old man who still makes it a very competitive match. I like your broader point too, though, that it is never too late to know God and to experience what He has for us. As human beings we can’t help but look at life in terms of linear time and whether there is “enough” of it left, but God has a different perspective on time and opportunity.
For some reason this topic also made me think about the thief who was crucified next to Jesus: we believe he is with the Lord because Jesus assured him he would be, but I’ve heard some people say “Sure, he was saved by grace, but he missed out on so much by only believing in Jesus at the last second.” But I’m not sure God sees it that way. If his grace redeems everything, then nothing, no sense of regret or missing out, will diminish that.
Also, what’s this about the last second? He’s with Jesus for eternity. Do they think that compares to a few years here in the fallen world? He has the fullness of Christ and there’s nothing lesser about that.
I know, right? I think the attitude being expressed is akin to resenting Jesus’ vineyard-workers parable even after Jesus has explained it: like saying, “OK, fine, be generous and pay them the same — but they’ve still missed out!” Being determined that grace still has to have a little bit of the punishment/earning mentality mixed in. Do you see what I mean?
You’ve hit on the real issue, Jeanne. Once we are in Grace, it’s as good as ever for eternity.
My father finally surrendered to Jesus Christ as he lay dying, at 76 years old. My happiest day!!
Wonderful news and amazing grace, Beka.
Very similar story with my father too! Amen!
Your wife coaches weight-lifters? She must be super fit.
Here she is leading me out of the water in an obstacle course/mud run we did a few years ago:
😀
Looks like you both are having a great time!