counter culture

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! 
You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. 
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.  Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean." 

Matthew 23:23-26

I pride myself on keeping a spotless and organized house. The other day, I opened a drawer and was astonished to find a jumble of clothes and odds and ends shoved inside helter skelter. I had neglected to put them away correctly.


Keeping my house in order is a high priority for me as I want everything to look just so. Who knows how long I spend making myself presentable each morning? I try to say and do the right things so that others will think well of me and look a certain way in keeping with my well cultivated image.


A simple messy drawer has reminded me of an eternal truth. 

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. 

Psalm 51:17

Thank you, Father, for this snarl of socks and miscellany eloquently portraying my spirit. This heart is broken and disheveled, chaotic and weary. Hear my prayer, Lord.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10