“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” – Isaiah 40:28-29
This is an exciting week. The football season begins! Yes, we have been seeing some pre-season football on TV, but this weekend we start the real season. I will be in the stands to watch high school football tonight, and Saturday I will enjoy the first weekend of college football. I love football and, after the strange year of 2020, I am excited to see football return with all the pageantry. The game of football is filled with many wonderful moments of triumph, joy, and excitement.
Recently, I was reminded of one of the great stories of triumph that took place on the college football field. You may not remember the name of Joe Thomas, Sr. He did not win a National Championship, or a Heisman Trophy, but he did set a particular NCAA record in football. Joe only played five total plays for South Carolina State. Those plays do not do justice to his amazing accomplishment. On November 19, 2016, Joe Thomas, Sr. became the oldest player in NCAA football history. At age 55, he entered the game and carried the ball for 1.3 yards.
Joe Thomas, Sr. was a good high school football player, but was not able to attend college. He started working early to support himself and his family. When his son, Joe Thomas, Jr. was given a scholarship to play at South Carolina State, Joe decided it was time to go to college as well. He enrolled with his son and walked on to the football team. Joe Thomas, Jr. excelled. He was eventually signed by the Green Bay Packers and now plays for the Houston Texans. His dad continued to study in college and work out with the team. Not only did Joe Thomas, Sr. enjoy the thrill of playing college football, but he became the oldest NCAA football player to graduate college. It was truly a season of triumph, thanks to his perseverance and dedication.
When I think of the work, patience, discipline, determination and the ultimate success that Joe Thomas displayed during his college career, it makes me appreciate football even more. It also reminds me of a significant part of our faith. Age is truly no limitation for the work that is to be done in sharing God’s love and bringing hope to our world. You can be young like David, standing before Goliath, or you can be older, like Moses before the Pharaoh, and still do the work of God. Too often, we place limits on ourselves because of our age. God has not put those limits in place, and neither should we. We all have gifts to share to bless our neighbors, and age is no barrier to the work before us.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
