John Wesley lived in the 1700's. He was the founder of the Methodist movement and was truly an amazing man. For example, in his ministry John Wesley traveled on horseback over 250,000 miles. He preached over 40,000 sermons.
When he was 86 years old, he wrote these words in his journal, “I am now an old man, decayed from head to foot. My eyes are dim; my right hand shakes much; my mouth is hot and dry every morning; I have a lingering fever almost every day; my motion is weak and slow. However, blessed be God, I do not slack my labor: I can preach and write still.” (Journal of John Wesley, Friday, January 1, 1790.)
Even at the age of 86, John Wesley proclaimed the good news of Christ with all the strength he had. And so, the Methodist movement grew, and it spread all over England and America and throughout the world.
Here is the question: How was John Wesley able to keep on doing this for so long? I believe part of the answer is found in the Old Testament book of Nehemiah, chapter 8, verse 10: “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”
John Wesley remained faithful and true to God all through his life. He kept that faith even to his deathbed when he said, “The best of all, God is with us.”
What a role model . . . to be faithful to God at the age of 36 or 86. To never give up.