Ouch.

The eventful week ahead begins to bombard my thoughts.

Do the kids’ school work…keep the house decent…don’t get behind in the laundry…balance the budget…and this and that, here and there.

Completely distracted by the “to do’s” of the upcoming week, I become oblivious to all those surrounding me and all the happenings taking place beside me. There are even times that I quietly sneak out a scrap of paper, dig for a workable pen and jot down the nagging notions running wild in hopes of finding some relief.

My mind may not be present but physically I am right alongside of everyone else, doing the right thing. Humbly, I must admit that my heart scarcely can take in a moment for the distractions overwhelmingly take control. I look good. I’m doing my part. Yet my heart is not in it.

But suddenly something eventually rips me away from my thoughts. Maybe it’s a change in the melodic key or a favorite song or perhaps simply an instruction, “You may be seated” coming from the stage.

And then I remember I am in church.

I am in church doing the good deeds, doing my part…yet it’s all an empty sacrifice.

The Lord stepped on my toes this week as I read His Word:

“I hate all your show and pretense – the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings. Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.”

Amos 5:21-24

Ouch.
Oh Lord, forgive me.
Rid me of showy rituals.
Prepare my heart for true worship through righteous living.