Last year we published an article called “Are you Ready?” where we provided a couple biographies of well-known people and ways to bridge the conversation to Jesus. We heard from several readers how helpful this was so Think-Biblically.com has decided to make this an annual story.

“If Heaven exists, to know that there’s laughter, that would be a great thing.” Robin Williams was a masterful comedian and a man who will be long remembered for his delightful charm and ability to cheer others. It is most unfortunate for us all that his magical ability to light a room with observational humor didn’t apply to his own soul, something which caused severe depression and eventually suicide. The public never glimpsed this other side of the comedian’s persona, though perhaps it should have.

Williams’s sharp wit reflected his even sharper mind and a few quotes from his more serious discussions provide insight into what he thought about most in those dark and troubling moments. From the quote above we know Williams pondered more the meaning of “Nanu, nanu”, he longed to know if an afterlife existed and, if so, what it was like. Is it like the superficial heaven of his film “What Dreams May Come” where one lives out eternity with the ability to create magnificent masterpieces of art but to do so alone and separate from anyone we have ever loved? He didn’t know. And it’s a tragedy that in life he never learned the truth.

There is a man who can turn the light of truth on in a person’s soul, a man who can chase the dark demons of misery, depression and sadness away. He not only brings light to the soul, but the inner man’s darkest corners and recesses. His light shows us many remarkable things, great joys and great brokenness. A man who not only brings us light to see ourselves for who we are, but is a light himself that guides us into truth and perfect grace. I wish Robin Williams had met Jesus, I think they would have a wonderful time together.

In sharp contrast to Robin Williams stands the life work of Ann B. Davis. Best known for her role as Alice, the housekeeper on the 1970 sitcom “The Brady Bunch”. Born in 1926, she worked as a talented actress (winning more than one Emmy) from 1956 to 1976. After 20 years in show business Davis, like Williams later, realized that there had to be more to life than the stage. In 1976 she left show business and moved to Denver, Colorado to join an Episcopal ministry and to work with homeless shelters. She later moved with that ministry and the last years of her life were spent in Pennsylvania. Out of the spotlight for nearly 40 years Davis is remembered by her friends and church as someone who was “the most honest, forthright, charitable and giving person. Just so generous.” When discussing her faith her pastor Dr. Frey sums it up this way: “She just lived it.” Ann died from a head injury sustained in a fall she took on the morning of June 1 of this year.

Ann B Davis may not be as recognizable a name as Robin Williams, but her life was one of not simply hearing God’s word, but doing God’s word. If only Williams could have found the author of peace as Davis had, he might be living in peace today rather than resting in it.