““I have observed a number of church people through the years who were grounded in biblical truth, faithful in church attendance, and models of morality and virtue. But some of them were mean-spirited. Some were angry. Some were bored with life. They seemed to observe all of the religious principles we Christians teach and treasure, but they didn’t have the joy those principles are supposed to produce. The “means,” somehow, never led to the “ends.” I have also observed a number of people who are not particularly religious and seldom, if ever, darken the doors of a church. But these people are full of life, laughter, and wonder. In their presence, I have come alive, too, for their joy is contagious. And I have thought, on more than one occasion, that these nonreligious people are closer to the kingdom than my mean-spirited, angry, bored church friends. Wherever there is joy, I have concluded, there is the presence of God.””
