By Joseph Perry

Are you still passionate about living and serving people?

After looking in the mirror and seeing wrinkles, seeing the gray hair, looking a little older, a lady asked her husband, “Frank, do I still look good? Do I still do all that you want me to do after all these years? Do I still make you happy in all that I do as your wife?”

The husband said, with no hesitation, “Sure you do, and you don’t have to ask me that again.”

After all these years, people who make up the church must be all God has called us to be, and, that is, we must still be vibrant. We must still have the excitement as we serve God and His people.

Sometimes, we lose our excitement to serve. We lose our excitement to live, to love and to laugh with people. When we do, it has to be found. Why? Because it’s so critical as others are inspired by what we say and do. People have the ability to impact people.

Jesus shows us how we must be a vibrant church. A church that’s full of passion to do all that’s laid before us in spite of the struggles and the strains that life brings. The hard knocks in life have tendencies to weaken our passion to serve the people that the Lord has placed around us.

However, we must remember:

• The Calling: Who we are. Each of us is called to make a difference.
• The Care: We must have a care and concern for all people. There is no need to have circles and groups, but we must become a community without walls.
• The City: Where we are headed. We must stay vibrant because one day, after we bore our cross that we have been given, there is a city in a place that has been prepared for those who desire to go.

Be passionate to serve people until the end. Let your light so shine, that they may see your good works and glorify the Father in Heaven. It doesn’t matter how old you get or how you look, just be passionate about serving and helping people every chance you get, and watch your life be touched and changed as you go.

The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Perry is pastor of St. Mark AME Zion Church. Contact him at josephp134@gmail.com.