Repent!

And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie."
This little story out of the Book of Mark makes me wonder about how I judge people today. John wore clothes made of camel hair and ate bugs! Would I be compelled to listen to his message or would I ignore him because of what he looked like and his strange habits? It's easy to glance at folks and write them off rather than trying to imagine what they are going through and accept them for who they are. I would have to be honest and say that a man standing in the river, chomping on a locust and yelling "repent" at me would be more of a photo op than a serious observation. I must strive to do better.
I encourage you today to try to be less impulsive in making your assumptions of people and allow yourself to see people the way that God sees them. Pray for those you don't understand and pray for yourself to be more understanding. 
John came to prepare people for Jesus. I wonder how many missed the message because they didn't pay attention?