Several young Major League Baseball players had great years. Atlanta Braves left fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (20 years old) and New York Yankees infielder Gleyber Torres (21 years old) had standout years.

Just as the last batch of baseball stars came and went quickly, this batch will too. An athlete’s prime is short. Most of the names that are relevant in pro sports today will be forgotten in 10 years.

But not in golf, because they have the Senior PGA. No other pro sport has a professional senior league. The Senior PGA allows us to see who is best when they are older, not only in their prime.

That’s intriguing. I would like to know who the best sprinters, soccer and basketball players are at ages 50 and 60.

But we have no way to know. We only see a small portion of someone’s athleticism in their physical prime. That seems unfair to late bloomers.

In sports, we peak early. But in life we do not. If our minds, emotions and actions mature over decades, we will peak late. We will mature as our bodies fall apart (2 Corinthians 4:16).

That sounds discouraging, and frankly, it is. But be encouraged by the fact you are on a journey that outlasts your athletic prime. Be encouraged your maturity in Christ is not dependent on your waning athleticism.

Athlete, growth takes time. Think long term. Do not fizzle out like an athlete. It’s okay to be a late bloomer.

Reflect: Imagine your 45-year-old self. Think about what you are struggling with today which you might have a better handle on then. That would be nice, huh?