Music that Speaks to Me: Jesus, Friend of Sinners

I'll just preface this, by saying that I really relate to the first verse of this song.

(You'll have to watch this one directly on YouTube)


I'll admit to a deep dark secret.  I'm a very judgmental person.  In some ways, I am idealist.  I have idea of how thing are supposed to be and how people are 'supposed' to act.  I find myself pointing the finger of judgment to the people around me.

That person should not have made that left turn!
That person ran a red light! (Traffic violations tend to be a pet peeve of mine)
That person took advantage of me!
The people around me don't befriend me!
That person just won't leave me alone!

Just some examples of the sort of things that go through my head.  I often find myself repenting in the car and feeling guilty for judging the people around me so harshly.  Perhaps that judgmental attitude keeps me from getting close to other people.  Instead of opening my arms to help, I'm pointing a finger at them and keep them at bay.

I've been trying to be aware of this.  Instead of thinking that a person is an idiot for running a red light, I try to say 'That action was idiotic."  I try to separate behaviors from the worth and goodness that people have in them.

I'm one to complain that people in the church aren't very Christlike, that they are judgmental, unfriendly, and distant.  I am a hypocrite.  I am the one that is mean, judgmental, unfriendly, distant, and cold to the people at Church.  If I want the church to be Christlike, loving, and friendly, then perhaps I should be the one to be loving, kind, and friendly.  Perhaps if I am that way, I can make a small change in the world.  And that small change would be me.

Feel free to leave comments, questions, confessions, etc, below.  Comments are moderated, but I read them all.