The List

Does anyone or anything ever get under your skin? Do you ever see someone doing something and it really ticks you off? Have you ever watched someone and said he should be ashamed of himself? Do you ever look at someone who has a different skin color or a different religion and roll your eyes in disgust? I don't know about you but I could raise my hand and say yes to all of these and then some.

I was reading the Bible the other day and I came across a very familiar passage, a passage I have read hundreds of times, a passage I have heard hundreds of times, a passage I have seen on bumper stickers, tattoos, t-shirts and bill boards. But I never quite saw it like I did the other day:

John 3: 16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

What I have failed to do in the past is realize just who "the world" is. Let me list a few of the people who came to my mind, these are people that seem to be looked at as if they do not deserve the mercy and forgiveness of God. These are people who many times are looked down on because they are not like us:

The world includes: The homeless guy who should "Just get a job!"
The world includes: The "idiot protester" on Wall Street.
The world includes: The "Tattooed Freak" in the mall.
The world includes: The CEO who made $20 million last year and kept it all for himself.
The world includes: The person in front of you at the grocery store using food stamps.
The world includes: The person who thinks George Bush was a great president.
The world includes: The person who voted for Obama.
The world includes: The preppy frat boy who wears bow ties.
The world includes: The fans who pull for the opposing sports team.
The world includes: The illegal immigrants who took your job.
The world includes: The people overseas who took your job.
The world includes: The person taking advantage of the system.
The world includes: The unwed teenager who just had her third child.
The world includes: The person who doesn't wear a suit to church.
The world includes: The husband who cheated on his wife...again.
The world includes: The co-worker who lied his/her way to the top.
The world includes: The bitchy little girl behind the counter with an attitude.
The world includes: The waiter who screwed up your order.
The world includes: The rich Hollywood actor who hates conservatives.
The world includes: The girl who just got an abortion.
The world includes: The gay couple pushing for equality in marriage.
The world includes: The straight couple opposing gay marriage.
The world includes: The members of Westboro Baptist Church.
The world includes: The members of First Baptist Church.
The world includes: The punks wandering the streets at night.
The world includes: The people who listen to rock and roll music.
The world includes: The "towel head" in the Middle East burning an American flag.
The world includes: The jerk who pulled out in front of you in traffic.
The world includes: The priest who abused children in his church.
The world includes: The murderer on death row.
The world includes: The arrogant atheist who knows there is no God.
The world includes: Hugh Hefner's girlfriends.
The world includes: Larry Flint of Hustler magazine.
The world includes: The idiot commentator on NPR.
The world includes: The arrogant commentator on FOX.
The world includes: The Jew.
The world includes: The Hindu.
The world includes: The Muslim.
The world includes: The Satanist.
The world includes: The church goer.
The world includes: You and me.

I John 2: 2 - He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

The next time someone or something gets under your skin try to put him in this list and pray for him. And just think, he may need to do the same for you!

P.S. If I have left anyone off the list, which I know I have, feel free to put someone from your list in the comments section below.