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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Vanity (11/15/18)
As soon as I begin to feel good about something I have done, or said, or been involved in, I recognise the absence of humility and then exchange my goodness for guilt as I start to feel good about recognising my hypocrisy. It’s a vicious circle, trying to avoid the trap of pride and the relational vanity that goes with it.

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Matthew 6:1

Obadiah tells us how our heavenly Father responds to all who would attack those whom He loves. It’s hard to be complacent in the knowledge that we who are loved by Him are protected, provided for and blessed to be His children, so we need to balance our attitude of gratitude. There is no room for vanity in the Grace we receive.

In Luke 18:11 we read of the Pharisee who stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector.

What a far cry away from the Dickensian character of Uriah Heep in Nicholas Nickleby who sought the appraisal in his ‘umbleness of which he was actually rather proud.

Ezekiel 25 gives a message against foreign nations and I think we see in present times that we can feel at ease in the knowledge that the Nations of today are also under limits imposed by God. There is, therefore no cause for them to rest on their laurels in vanity.

Edom was proud of its high position, but God condemned her pride, her vanity, and the same will happen to today’s high and proud personages, who will be brought down for all their defiance of God and His Commandments.

No nation, tribe or person who thinks they are secure in their own wisdom can afford complacent vanity. One day they will be horrified to discover that they are not exempt from the Justice of Elyon, God Most High.

Psalm 128:1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways.

Can we be allowed vanity in that?
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Claudia Barrington
11/24/18
Your points were good, but for me, it didnt flow smoothly. Your first paragraph was a good opening and piqued my curiostiity...I was hopeing to find a new way of overcoming that same dilema that we all struggle with at times. But then I got lost. Still, your overall message is true and good.
Claudia Barrington
11/24/18
*hoping
Claudia Barrington
11/24/18
What if everyone who posted in Challenge entries also commented on/critiqued at least three others? I'm shocked that so many post, and so few read and post a review for others. It seems only a few people have the courtesy to critique but would like the critiques on their own. I am new here, and originally was excited about this site. If you are one who DOES regularly read and comment on others work, then may the Lord bless you mightily and publish you quickly.
Linda Lawrence 
11/25/18
Your opening stated our dilemma well. But try as I might, I don't get what Obadiah or Uriah Heep have to say that addresses that dilemma. I don't know what to specifically suggest, but those paragraphs just didn't work for me. Maybe just eliminate them? Sorry. . . I'm not much help.