Top Ten

In 1985 while on the show "Late Night" David Letterman had a bit that became a staple of American pop culture, the top 10 list.  The first one was the top 10 words that almost rhyme with 'peas' and on that list #1 was 'meats'.   The lists went on night after night until he went off the air earlier this year.  List included Bigfoot's Pet Peeves (the smell of wet squirrel and Elvis dropping in unannounced.) and Facts About the 100 Ton Fungus Found in Michigan (Believed to be smarter than Dan Quayle).  Politicians and celebrities would stop by to participate.  What started as a gimmick turned out to be a lot of fun for decades.

Of course, the lists don't stop with the Late Show.  Facebook is filled with lists and lists and list  and list.  We can see 30 Memories of Boblo Island Amusement Park or 29 Ways to Know You are From Michigan.  And here is my favorite list.  The New Yorker printed a list of the 100 best lists of all time.  Go ahead, follow the link and take a look.  I'll wait.

So where is all of this going anyway?  As Christians there should be one list that we should be very aware of.  It is the list of transgressions that have been forgiven of us by God.  Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven.  And as a Christian I know the areas that I have been forgiven and I continue to struggle.  I need to remember the list.  Not to beat myself up with the list, but to acknowledge that there is much to be thankful for and maybe generate a little more compassion for those who are just getting started on their lists.

Watch this clip from Pastor Chris.

We need a list.  Either a physical list or a mental list to remind us of where we were and where we've come in our journey with God.