Pastor's Perspective - It's Never Too Late

Dear FCC Family & Treasured Friends,

Tomorrow in Hays, Kansas, Nola Ochs will be receiving her bachelor’s degree in history from Fort Hays State University. She began her college studies through correspondence to keep herself busy. Later she moved into student housing on campus. Joyfully she will complete her degree with a 3.7 GPA. That’s not too shabby for a woman who began her formal education when Herbert Hoover was president! Nola Orchs raised 4 sons, has 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. By the way, tomorrow she will officially become the oldest person ever to receive a bachelor’s degree – at the young age of 95!

Crooner Tony Bennett did a surprise show at a retirement home back in the 80’s. After finishing his first song, his audience still looked quite bewildered. Bennett asked, “Don’t you all know who I am?” An old lady in the front responded, “No, but if you go up to the front desk they can tell you.”

Sadly, our society connects our “golden years” with that story and not so much with Nola Ochs! Yet, we find from Scripture that God has used, and desires to use each of us mightily for His glory in our latter years.

Let me remind you that Noah was 600 when he took his first cruise. Abram (Abraham) was a punk kid of 75 when he obeyed God to follow a promise. Moses was a spry 80 when the Lord gave him a divine assignment. And Caleb entered the promised land when he was a pimply-faced 80-year-old!

Our Creative Arts Director, Jeramy Sossaman, recently released a must-purchase CD entitled ‘It’s Never Too Late’. The Holy Spirit challenged him, inspired him and reminded him that with God it’s not over till it’s over! It’s never too late to chase your dreams and to take those first steps toward your unique place in God’s will and story.

Senior saints, hear my heart. We love you and need you. Sometimes, sadly, we fail to remind you of how important you really are – in our families and in our churches. Your life stories, life lessons, wisdom and encouragement are absolutely vital to younger generations. You still count. You still matter. Your lives are priceless and irreplaceable to us. Although you may have retired years ago, I challenge you to show us that Christian service is something you never get a gold watch from. Please let us learn from you. Though it seems like we’re not watching and listening, we are. Despite your aches and pains, take your rightful place in the family of God. Serve the Lord, and remind us with your lives that it’s never ever too late!

Thanks for the reminder Nola.

This Sunday I will be sharing a Mother’s Day message entitled ‘Endangered & Essential’. Bring your Mom to FCC for an inspiring encounter with the living Lord!

In the Fight,

Steve