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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: ENVY (jealousy of another’s advantage) (02/12/15)
Sleeves shredded, gripped by hands that want what others have. Grasping, reaching, seething, breathing hatred and violence behind that coy smooth smile.

Plastic-wrapped in a presentable package of wealth and prestige-yet what lies underneath may not be what it seems. That plastic wrapped package may be glittery in appearance, yet bile and death may be the treasures hidden within. We as children don’t know what’s best for us.

The sun scorches the covetous heart. It’s ever thirsty; water is not enough. Famine and want linger on the stomach regardless of its fill; the appetite is ravenous.

“Not good enough!” yells the heart that envies. “Theirs is better!” loathes the discontent son. “You’re good to them, but despise my desires!” contends the voice of the child given his due portion in wisdom and love.

Lust creeps in unaware and unnoticed, nestled in the corner-it came through just the crack of a door. Lust quickly breeds seeds of entitlement and jealousy that leech to the heart and demand to be fed. Envy soon blooms from the root of the mulberry tree; it festers and chokes out the knowledge of the Lord. Finally bitterness, anger, hatred, and murder ripen as the fruit birthed from the strength of the root.

Wisdom is this: find your identity in Jesus.

The cycle of poverty and the struggle of insecurity and the lack of confidence in our worth and value mark us as prey to be victim to jealousy. The definition of our person is not based on what we possess, on our gifting or talents, or the esteem given carelessly by men. Are we confident of our acceptance and secure that we as a person are the greatest treasure to be engaged with in relationship to both God and men?

Wisdom is this: the adulterous woman is crouched at our doorstep. Don’t stray outside.

The lust for this world and the desire of the eyes and the pride of this life snare us in idolatry, lead us to adultery, and grieve the heart of the Bridegroom who Himself is jealous for our affection. Discontentment and want spring from a state of dissatisfaction in the union entered into with the Son-is this marriage truly what we want? Jealousy slithers in trough untamed desire for a world that we are called to be strangers and foreigners in. What do we really want?

Wisdom is this: Look at the Son.
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This article has been read 687 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
02/19/15
Powerful message packed into this short but memorable piece. Well done.

God bless~
Hannah Gaudette
02/20/15
This was a really well-written article! Good job.
PamFord Davis 
02/20/15
Powerful feelings buried within your warnings. I liked the line 'leech to the heart.'

Wing His Words
Larry Whittington
02/21/15
You have several descriptive scenes that open the pathway to feeling the emotions of envy and jealousy.

Good thoughts on this.
Sheldon Bass 
02/25/15
The deep pondering of your heart is evident in this piece, which makes it valuable. I received a sense of a dark overtone, but with hints of the path to light. Yet, I wonder how many people today would take the time to understand your words and thoughts. I've been disappointed in this way in my own writing, and have found that the majority seek only to read superficial thought and that which entertains or induces a good feeling. So I suggest simplifying your messages and making it clear enough for everyone, rather than just a few, to understand. However, I did truly enjoy this entry and hope you will continue to share your wonderful heart with us. God Bless you.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
02/26/15
I think this has a lot of passion in it and has the potential to be great. It could just be me, but it felt a bit disjointed at times. I knew what you were getting at because of the topic and the type of site, but I wonder if someone stumbling on to it would. It could just be that this style isn't my favorite genre so I'm slow on the uptake. I do think you had some splendid lines that did make me squirm and then realize the answer to that feeling is in Jesus. That is the most important part of your message. It was quite poetic and I believe the right reader will be moved deeply by your words. It's most important to follow God's leading in your writings and I think you definitely did that.
C D Swanson 
02/26/15
Congrats!

God BLess~