Being Blameless
What is the greatest thing that could happen to you?
Would you be ready for it when it happens?
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.' - Genesis 17:1
Today's reading is the beginning of the story of Abraham, the man God chose to be the father of many nations. God called him to walk before him and be blameless.
How hard is that?
Imagine being called to stand before God. What would that be like? Would you feel ready, or would you do what Abram did and hide your face?
As I prepare to start my day, I take comfort in believing everything will unfold as planned, that the day will be like any other, that the things I have on my calendar will take place and I will arrive at the end of the day as I did yesterday, unscathed by the day's events, ready to rest for another day.
But what if today is different?
What if my plans all seem ridiculous in light of some major life change I could never have imagined?
What if God calls me out and tells me to walk before him and be blameless in his sight? What would I do then?
Like you, I take comfort in knowing God doesn't barge in and make an appearance like that, at least he hasn't in a long time, and I don't expect him to now, certainly not to me. So I can politely ignore the question and go about my business. Can't I?
But what about the blameless part? Can I say that I am prepared to be blameless in the eyes of God?
What does that entail? Certainly I am not perfect, but what am I to blame for?
If you are like me, that question will linger throughout this day. Every thought, every action will find its way into the recesses of my mind and flow through the filter of blamelessness, and I will hold it in judgment, whether I want to or not.
The seed is planted and I know I can be a harsh judge. Maybe not as harsh on myself, or maybe more so, depending on my mood, and that's the point, isn't it?
When God called Abram before him, he knew who and what Abram was, and what he will become. And despite all his faults and uncertainties, he called him anyway and told him to stand blameless before him.
In a way, he was baptizing him, offering him a chance to be clean, fresh, new. And as such, he gave him a new name, Abraham.
So, rather than fear being called out by God, I should be eager and ready and hopeful. I should feel called already, offered that same chance to be free of blame, to let any and all trappings of doubt and guilt wash off me like a gentle rain.
Now that is the way to start the day, don't you think? I don't have to feel I am perfect to be accepted by God, but I can be grateful that God does accept me as I am.
And that will make me want to be better.
Perhaps that way I will be able to walk before him, and be blameless.
Wouldn't that make this a truly great day?
More to come...