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It's because people are horrible.

My daughter asked me today why people throw cigarettes onto the ground.  Without thinking I responded, "It's because people are horrible."  Then I thought about what I said.

Is that really true?

Do I really think people are horrible because they litter?

Is it because they smoke?

Am I any better?

I started reflecting on the things in my life that make me horrible.  I yell at the dog.  I've skipped class.  I've lied to people I love.  Hell, I've thrown a hamburger wrapper out the window (when I was alone of course).

Does that make me horrible?

I get frustrated at politicians.  I blow off the needy.  I miss church.

Does that make me horrible?

I've fought with others.  I ignore phone calls.  I posted mean comments.

Does that make me horrible?

That's when it hit me.  I am as horrible as everyone else.  There are not "levels of horribleness."  The Bible says "Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us..." (Romans 3:23a The Message)  If I believe the Bible is true than that means the homeless drunk who yelled at me the other day, the twerking celebrity who is a bad example, the angry pundit on TV, the mass murderer, my daughter, and me are all in the same boat.

WE ARE HORRIBLE

 So what does that mean for me?  What could I do?  How could I respond to this?

Luckily, the Bible continues on with, "...God did it for us.  Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself.  A pure gift.  He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be.  And did it by means of Jesus Christ" (Romans 3:23b - 24 The Message)  Yeah, you read right.  Redeemed, baby!  It doesn't take away the fact that we are all horrible but we have an opportunity to not stay that way.  Jesus' death made it right between God and us, we just have to accept it.

Jesus absorbed my horribleness like a paper towel absorbs my kids messes.  There is still the residue and ramifications of my horribleness in my life but I am not forever tainted by it.

So next time my daughter asks me if someone who throws a cigarette on the ground is horrible (because you know she will remember me saying that) I can tell her the truth.

We are all horrible, but we don't have to stay that way.

 Good luck out there,
D. A. Acevedo
@iamthebbqking

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