Hello beautiful people! I am currently in Kenya, waiting on my plane to Rwanda in a few hours! This week finished up month 9 in Ethiopia! Oh how I am in love with Africa. I thought Animal Kingdom in Disney World was great, but this is the real deal!
Something that the Lord has been teaching and growing me in lately is the sin of vanity. When I heard this word before, the only thing that really came to mind was the piece of furniture where I would put my make-up on. I heard people say, “don’t be vain,” which came with a negative tone, but I didn’t think much of it. I had my blinders on, and soaked in the sweet spot of ignorance.
Dictionary.com defines the word as, “excessive pride in or admiration of one own’s appearance or achievements.” Ouch. Those are some pretty harsh words. But, I think I would be ignorant not to say that almost everyone in the world, including Christians, struggle with vanity, to some degree. Our American society in particular thrives itself on individuals exalting themselves. INSTAgram photos for INSTANT gratification. Wealth. Power. Popularity. We are told that in order to be successful we NEEd to get these things. But the truth behind vanity has stayed constant for thousands of years.
I’m reading Ecclesiastes right now and am blown away by all that King Solomon had to say. In case you didn’t know, I didn’t a year ago, he was the wisest king to ever live, as God gave him incredible wisdom, which he prayed for. He was still human like the rest of us, thus having free will. The choice to do what he wanted, despite knowing directly what God wanted for his life. He acquired great wealth, many wives and mistresses, beautiful palaces and countless riches. And what did he gain from all of that… nothing. He says in chapter 2, verse 11,
“Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”
Vanity is that ugly internal critic, that forces you to put excessive energy on yourself, instead of focusing on those around you. Money and power can never be satisfied. They always want more. If one idolizes them, they will never be fulfilled. It’s a sad reality, that can seem obvious, but quite frequently gets forgotten.
Now I am not saying that everyone who has wealth, power, or ‘looks good’ is vain. God gives us blessings that He WANTS us to enjoy. It later says in chapter 5, verse 19,
“Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil- this is the gift of God.”
Vanity is a complex, and evil disease that eats away at ones own peace. It has done that to me for a long time, without even realizing it. I am not perfect, and still walking out of it, but hopeful in the promise from God. Matthew 6:33 says,
“Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all will be given to you.”
So enjoy what you have, and don’t exalt yourself. Seek the Father above all, and you are sure to prosper!
I pray that you all have a great 4th of July weekend!
Peace and blessings, Hannah
