“I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight I your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me you burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Amos 5:18-24

Righteousness and Justice flowing together from me outward helps me achieve the fullness of the potential possibilities available in relationship with God. One without the other is out of balance; though at times it may be more important to serve others through acts of mercy than participate in acts of piety such as prayer, and reading scripture. However, that being said, without participating in prayer and reading of scripture I may never recognize the needs that require me to engage in acts of mercy. Certainly there is no real and long lasting justice without righteousness as defined by God. “faithfulness requires more than beautiful worship and fervent prayer. A faithful life is a just and righteous life.” (Wesleyan Core Term, Ethics, Wesley Study Bible, pg 1097) O that I live life in balance, guided by God having received that guidance through fervent and travailing prayer!