Most of us want to be where it’s at. We want to be accepted, happy, fulfilled. In our quest for happiness and acceptance, we seek membership in various in-groups of our society.

Among the more popular in-groups today is what I call the Enlightened Unbeliever in-group. For many, membership in this group usually begins during college. To qualify you must become increasingly impressed with yourself and what you know. You must also find faith increasingly childish. Members in this group have yet to learn that the truly intelligent persons are more impressed with their ignorance than with their knowledge. To accept God, people must first accept their own limitations.

Another popular in-group is the Free and Easy Immorality in-group. College students tell me that it is really tough to practice Christian morality on campus today. Even those who have been married for many years seek membership in this group. More and more couples travel into the fantasy land of foolin’ around. Unfortunately, at the end of their rainbow they often discover a pot full of pain and anguish.

Much of what’s "in" for society today is fortunately "out" for the believer. Yes, fortunately, for God has planned better things for us. Although there are many in-groups to choose from today, there is only one really important group to which everyone should belong. The church is that group. Those outside of it are unfortunate. Those inside, engaged ... engaged with a present God who sees them as the most important thing in the world. More important than his majestic mountains or mighty rivers. Devotees are the Almighty’s personal pleasure. Joy results from his presence in their hearts. Even when life deals the Christian one of its blows, we are not sidetracked from present joy or eternal reward. We are insiders, and that makes the difference.