Memo 1105: Laundry List for Life
We've been searching for clues to help you live an abundant and overcoming life, as Jesus promised, as you occupy the throne of purposeful living God has assigned you. This week, let's take a quick look at a 'laundry list' of life, comprised of behaviors and attitudes David mentioned that seem to fit in with our search:
Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken (Psalm 15).
What I'm referring to as your 'throne' David refers to as 'dwelling in [God's] sacred tent' or 'living on [His] holy mountain.' I don't know about you, but those venues sound like good places to hang out, so let's look at what David said we have to do or be to reside there.
THE LIST OF ELEVEN
I identify eleven things from Psalm 15 that should be part of any abundant lifestyle:
- Walks blamelessly. This doesn't mean you're perfect; it means you acknowledge and make amends when you're not.
- Does what is righteous. That means you know what to do, the will of God, and then do it.
- Speaks truth from the heart. You don't pretend to be who you aren't, even if who you aren't isn't all you or God would want you to be.
- Doesn't slander or cast slurs on others. You don't speak badly of others. If you have something to say, you say it to them. You also keep your speech free of snide comments, cynicism, and sarcasm.
- Does no wrong to a neighbor. This leads to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" which Jesus answered in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Your neighbor is someone with a need who you encounter along your life's path.
- Despises a vile person. You don't join in to celebrate what your culture exalts but that God despises.
- Honors those who fear the Lord. You're part of a redeemed community of like-minded believers.
- Keeps one's word. You follow through on what you say you'll do for yourself, for others, and for God.
- Doesn't change one's mind. You aren't double-minded, but have a set of values that you live by in good times and bad.
- Lends to the poor. You're close enough to those in need so that you're able to recognize their need and then help to meet it.
- Takes no bribes. You stand for justice and fairness even when it's in your best interests not to do so, forgoing personal enhancement or benefit to stand up for what's right.
SELF-EXAMINATION
Who wouldn't want to be married to someone who manifests the traits on this laundry list? Who wouldn't want a spouse or friend or co-worker or employer or employee who lived out these values and behaviors? The answer, of course, is no one wouldn't want it, but your job isn't to find people like that. Your job is to be a person like that—to be the one who keeps your promises, who only offers encouraging, positive words, who helps those in need, who doesn't just talk about what you believe but lives it out.
To help you do that, I suggest you go back to the list of eleven and give yourself a score from one to five on each one, one being the worst and five the best. Now examine the list. What are your impressions? Where do you need some work? Where are you where you want to be? Where do you fall short? The lesson, of course, is there's always something to work on in your life that will help you live an abundant life. Your lowest scores give you an idea of things God needs to help you work on, and your highest scores are things that you can maximize to be effective in God's kingdom.
Therefore, this week's PowerPoint for Living is as follows:
You must regularly self-examine to ensure that you're living according to the values, attitudes, and behaviors that got you where you are today so they can keep you where you are today—and prepare you for where you need to go tomorrow.
Someone once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living, but the unlived life is not worth examining.” I urge you to live the abundant life but as you do to examine yourself so you can come into even more abundance. Have a blessed week!