Sadness

I watched parts of Michael Jackson's funeral and stayed up way too late last night. I also watched the live feed that Facebook had. There were people from all over the world commenting in real time about the memorial. As I watched, I was most interested in what "christians" had to say.

It was nauseating.

And all I could think is that I hope none of those people show up at my funeral, because if there's anyone who doesn't deserve a good memorial service, it's me.

See, here's the deal.

Not a single one of us deserves any good or perfect thing we've been given. Not one. And the second that we Jesus followers begin to label people as "good" or "bad" then God help us all.

Actions are moral or immoral. Choices are good and bad. But people can always be redeemed.

Yesterday I grieved with a little girl who has lost her father. I also grieved for the part that all of us play in the culture that treats entertainers as gods and then acts morally outraged when they aren't.

"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor." 

– Matthew 7:3-5 

The Message