I love to see young people give their lives to Jesus. I love to see them commit to him in faith, dying with him in baptism, and starting a journey with him that will last the rest of their lives… and beyond.

But as much as those young commitments bring me joy, I’m truly moved by those who come to Christ late in life. Many of us become set in our ways as we grow older, but some are willing to be born again despite their advanced years.

Last month in Cuba, I got to see several people be baptized into Christ. Among them was a man whose wife had become a Christian sixty years before. She was converted as a young woman; now this man was joining her in the body of Christ six decades later.

Sixty years of prayer. Sixty years of a godly example. Sixty years of worrying and wondering. That’s a long time.

Would you have kept it up? Would you still be hoping after sixty years? Would you continue to pray for someone who had said no time and again, year after year? Would you still invite them to go to church with you or ask them to learn more about God?

Some people learn about Jesus and are immediately ready to give their life to him. Others need more time. As Christians, it’s important that we never give up on those around us.

The apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).

Don’t give up! Keep praying for those around you. Keep showing them the example of a godly life. And be ready to share your faith with them when the time is right.

Want to learn more about this subject? Visit HopeForLife.org.