Recently, I was asked what Scripture I am currently memorizing. The answer is Psalm 101, but in all honesty I have been working on Psalm 101 for about 7 months now. In the meantime, other Scripture has become my focus, but I keep going back to Psalm 101 because it is so significant to me. It is the psalm that I use in my first week of the 12 Week Health Through the Psalms program that I developed in 2022. I absolutely love this psalm. The emphasis I put in my program on “removing the clutter” from our lives is based on this psalm
More importantly, however, is another aspect of this psalm which challenges me greatly and actually stops me in my tracks almost daily. The challenge is in verse 2: “I will be careful to lead a blameless life – when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.” I am trying to live a blameless life, but it is hard. I am trying to conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart, but it is hard. Interesting to me is the fact that this blameless living is for both public and private life.
When we remove clutter from our lives…clutter from our diets, from our homes, from our schedules, from our commitments, from our goals, from our closets, from our hearts, from our brains, from our guts, we are doing ourselves a favor. However, removal of clutter is a bit easier at times than “living a blameless life.” I have removed lots of tangible clutter from my life, especially the past five months. This clutter includes unused kitchen utensils, unworn and damaged clothing, furniture, old lotions and ointments, meaningless knickknacks, and an abundance of junk. It feels great to have “space” to move, to organize, to function and to enjoy. Just viewing the removal triggers endorphin release in my brain, and I want more of this.
But here is the truth. No matter how much clutter I remove from my house, my heart, my brain, my garage, my schedule, my commitments, and even my goals, living a blameless life still needs lots of attention and effort. I can’t get through the day without being reminded and convicted of my lack of success on this one. Daily, I am able to successfully remove clutter from my life, which I view spiritually to “confessing sin and forsaking it”, but living a blameless life seems so much harder. After all, snippy comments, unholy thoughts, and arrogant judgments are so easy to allow. Running yellow lights, exceeding the speed limit, holding a grudge or withholding encouragement and courtesy are so easy to “allow” to happen.
I am being honest here, but I don’t like it. I don’t like admitting how I fail, and I don’t like telling you that you need to get with the “blameless” program, too. I don’t want you to be mad at me, but in reality, the idea is not mine. The psalm is from Scripture, and all Scripture is to teach, train, encourage, rebuke, instruct, guide and to be regarded with attention, complete attention. All Scripture is for us to become mature and to live a life of one who is equipped to do God’s will. In order to do God’s will, we must be about “blameless living”.
So today, check out your “blameless” scale. Develop one for yourself to be a simple guide in areas that you might struggle. Look below for the acrostic poem that I decided to use today.
B Benevolence toward others
L Loving others
A Arrogance of my attitude
M Management of my mouth
E Encouragement of others
L Listening to the Lord
E Entreaty over complaining
S Sincere forgiveness
S Solace for the poor and weak
This is just one list. Later today, I could consider these aspects of blameless living:
B Bitterness of heart
L Loving others (got to have this 24/7)
A Acknowledging God for every good gift
M Mindset of gratitude
E Envy or jealousy check
L Laziness or lack of diligence
E Eagerness to help others
S Selfish ambitions
S Solace for the poor and weak (got to help the poor and weak 24/7!)
Psalm 101 presents a huge challenge to anyone who notices the same little word that I notice. “Blameless” – a word I never used much until focusing on Psalm 101 in 2022 for health reasons. That one little word causes me to listen to the Lord more, humble myself, walk in my house with more care, reach out to others, use the brake in traffic, hold my tongue, realize my need for the Savior’s constant help, and it brings my ultimate focus back to God who is the Blameless One, the Holy One, the Loving One. Let’s do it for Him, and in the process, we will love others; we will encourage others; we will comfort others; we will manage our mouth; we will envy less and let go of slackness; we will have sincere forgiveness among so many other “healthy” aspects of the blessing that blameless living will be to us and for all of our circles so that everyone is encouraged for eternity.