ben_hartnett ([info]ben_hartnett) wrote,
@ 2006-10-20 12:38:00
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Pride and Stuff
How many artists are content to work in obscurity, and not be affected by the desire to be recognised for their work (or integrity or whatever)? I was challenged with it again today. A 'daily reading' calendar had a verse that cut through me a bit. Later I sat down at breakfast and flipped open my Bible, ready to hunt for somewhere to read. My eye went straight to a verse: the same one as the calendar!

“And seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not...” Jeremiah 45:5.

'Great things' aren't necessarily bad, they're just not to be our motivation (unless we're seeking great things for others? Without needing to be admired for that, of course!). Here's another verse that stuck out to me recently (I'm storing up a collection. I might put a list of them here one day):

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”

'Exalt' may mean something different to God than it does to us, of course. An opposite situation is the fear of being noticed, but that's another story!



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[info]deanrankine
2007-01-05 11:19 am UTC (link)
I know you wrote this months ago but it's really hit home to me right now. I've become increasingly aware of the ego trip I receive from my artwork. Whether it's positive or negative I have this burning desire for feedback after I've drawn something.

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[info]ben_hartnett
2007-01-06 03:49 am UTC (link)
It's a crippling disease, I find. Even while I'm just thinking about something I can be wondering how people will respond, and I'm wondering for my own sake rather than theirs. It's when I'm doing something just for others or just for fun, not thinking of 'greatness' at all, that I do my best work. Funny, that.

Thanks for dropping by my journal!

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Yes Indeed
[info]mattybake
2007-05-30 10:14 am UTC (link)
Great verses, Ben, and ones I definitely need to apply to my life, thanks for posting them.

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