A reader writes from Jamaica

As you can imagine, I am deeply moved, humbled, and grateful when I receive messages like this one:

Good day Mr Mclaren,
I hope this email finds you in good health. I am a young woman in her late twenties who is embarking on a spiritual journey of sorts due to the myriad of questions and different perspectives that bombard today’s society. I have increasingly had questions about God, the purpose of religion and how the church has represented itself. I am someone who is trying to decipher between theistic versus agnostic versus atheistic perspectives.
I came across one of your “Finding Faith” books on the Logos Hope book ship that docked in Jamaica in 2010 but due to my personal resistance with dealing with spiritual issues, it wasn’t until about a year later that I made an effort to read it. It was the first book I had come across which dealt with my concerns in such an easy-to-read manner and with such breadth and clarity. Your gentle, humble yet witty and direct writing style caused me to shed many a tear and seriously re-consider if this journey was worth taking. I greatly appreciate the numerous perspectives, resources and inclusion of your own personal spiritual journey in this book. It was as though you had read my diary! Of course, I had to get the sequel in the “Finding Faith” series and was equally impressed. I continue to read other texts and am seeking to collect some of those you referenced. I regularly reflect on the invaluable lessons I’ve learnt from your books. To date, I have not found any other book which deals with these issues so profoundly.
I do not have all the answers to the questions but I am more settled as I realise that I am not the only person who has ever embarked on such a journey and that there are small steps I can take to move forward. My journey is indebted to you.
There are not enough words to thank you.

I remember so clearly the experience of writing these books, over a decade ago, in a little corner of my basement late at night. To think that people today are still discovering them and finding them helpful is truly encouraging. In fact, it encourages me to keep writing. Thanks. I hope you’ll be able to find some people of “good faith” to support you in your search.