Worship is an integral part of being a Christian. Unfortunately, not everyone lives worship as an integral part of their spirituality. So that worship is considered as a formality only. Just participating but not fully present. As a result, worship does not change anything in one's life.

Our reading this time highlights the preacher's attempt to reflect on the people's acts of worship as far as he could observe. He opens his conversation by pointing out a fact that cuts straight to the worship behaviour of the people of Israel at that time. The preacher emphatically said, "Watch your step as you walk to the House of God!" He used the image of a procession of people going to the Temple to worship. Step after step was taken to approach Him. However, this call is not just about the feet stepping into God's house, but the steps of life that have been taken and chosen. Has everyone stepped carefully, considering all decisions, so that every flow of life brings us closer to Him instead of further away from God.

Ibadah is a gateway to invite people to examine themselves and improve their thoughts and behaviour according to His will. From the statement in verse 1, the preacher at the same time rebuked the people at that time who manipulated the sacrificial ritual for their own interests. Sacrifice seems to be a shortcut to look pious and good, and to solve sins even though there is no remorse at all. This is in line with the call of the Prophets who rejected the display of personal piety through the performance of sacrificial rites, while there was no change in their behaviour.

Friends of the Bible, isn't it true that in the nature of the self that has been immersed in sin, manipulations of worship, rites, and other forms of personal piety are possible. People make worship and various spiritual disciplines as "shortcuts" to display godliness. Yet from their hearts, no goodness is reflected, as the fruit of worshiping God. From Monday to Saturday, we serve the lustful, while on Sunday everyone competes to look as pious as possible. It is as if on that one day all the evil done during the week is washed away. On the other side of the world, rulers are busy oppressing and seizing what they can, setting aside some of the spoils to build places of worship. As if doing so would pave the way to heaven. What does the Sustainer of Life really want through these acts of worship? He wants sincere acts of devotion. A life that is fully dedicated to Allah. Worship is a reminder of our complete dependence and submission to Allah, not a means of public manipulation to appear pious.