Instead of a Show

This morning as I stood in a worship service, this song played in my head despite the blaring keyboard and Praise and Worship team screaming into their mics...

I don’t think I even have other thoughts to write.  I’m afraid if I start I might say some very harsh things, but I can let scripture say them, right? 

Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

"Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil.  Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God.  For God is in heaven and you are on earth; therefore let your words be few."--King Solomon

Amos 5:21-24

"I hate, I reject all your festivals, nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies.  Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; and I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings.  Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps.  But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."--God to the Nation of Israel

Isaiah 1:11-19

“What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord, “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle; and I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.  When you come to appear before Me, who requires of you this trampling of My courts?  Bring your worthless offerings no longer, incense is an abomination to Me.  New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies-I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.  I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, they have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.  

So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen.  Your hands are covered with blood.  Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from My sight.  Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.  Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.  If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.”  Truly, the mouth of the Lord has spoken.--God to the Nation of Israel

Matthew 6:1, 5-8

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you will have no reward with your Father who is in heaven."  ...  "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men.  Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.  But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.  And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.  So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."--Jesus to the crowds

 I can't wait for the day when God's Church will worship him in Spirit and in truth...sigh, that will be a beautiful thing.  Until then, I want to figure out how to actually worship and glorify God in a church service.  If the point is just to feel something, to have an experience, then we can go ahead and fake it and put on our show.  But if we desire God, not just an ethereal, mystical, shivery feeling, the usual routine of empty choreography we call 'worship' isn't going to cut it.  I for one, want the real thing.  Lord, help me not to be a hypocrite.