Natural talents and vainglory

[Linda]

What if someone has a natural talent in the performing arts, that has always been greatly impressive -- should that person refrain from performing to avoid vainglory?

Should they find another line of work?

Is it vainglory to be aware that others are impressed even though that is not the aim?

Are the performing arts just not a good place for one following Christ?

I've been wondering about this for quite a while.

Thank you

[Matthew Panchisin]

Dear Linda,

I think that if the person found another line of work sooner or latter they might find that vain glory has more to do with the person than the work.

Saint John Climacus and the Ladder of Divine Ascent wrote a bit on such things.

"On Vainglory - Vainglory is a change of nature, a perversion of character . . . It is a waste of work and sweat, a betrayal of treasure, an offspring of unbelief, a harbinger of pride . . .

Like the sun which shines on all alike, vainglory beams on every occupation. What I mean is this. I fast, and turn vainglorious. I stop fasting so that I will draw no attention to myself, and I become vainglorious over my prudence. I dress well or badly, and I am vainglorious in either case. I talk or hold my peace, and each time I am defeated. No matter how I shed this prickly thing, a spike remains to stand up against me.

A vain man is a believer - and an idolator. Apparently honoring God, he actually is out to please not God but men. To be a showoff is to be vainglorious, and the fast of such an individual is unrewarded and his prayer futile, since he is practicing both to win praise.

When the devil tells you to show off your virtues for the benefit of an audience, do not yield to him. "What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and destroy himself?" (Matt. 16:26).

Our neighbor is moved by nothing so much as by a sincere and humble way of talking and behaving. It is an example and a spur to others never to turn proud. And there is nothing to equal the benefit of this."

You might want to read a fuller context at this link.

http://www.saintbarbara.org/faith/prayerlife/heavenly_ascent.cfm

In Christ,

Matthew Panchisin

[Effie Ganatsios]

[QUOTE=Matthew_P;47827]Dear Linda,

I think that if the person found another line of work sooner or latter they might find that vain glory has more to do with the person than the work.

Unquote

Linda, I think Mathew has said it all. Vanity has to do with ourselves and not the line of work we are in. There are of course professions that make it extremely difficult for those in them to keep from being vain. For example : I have often felt sorry for young singers and actors who suddenly become popular because of a TV role or a certain song. We all know of people who have been destroyed by being unable to cope with the idolization connected with their professions but as with everything it is a matter of the choices we make in life.

We choose to be actors or singers. Why? For the money, for the fame, for the glory? Who is in charge of our lives? Is God or are we?

Actors and singers can be a tremendous influence for good or for evil. If God is in charge of their lives then their acting will be to God's glory.

How many of our great composers have dedicated their work to God? How many beautiful and uplifting muscial compositions are ours today because of the faith in God these gifted people had? Each person is born with a certain gift and we are fools if we believe that we ourselves have created these gifts. We nourish them, we work hard to make full use of them, but the bottom line is that they are given to us by God.

Vainglory and pride are created when we stop glorifying God with our gifts and start believing that we are responsible for them and that we are above God.

Effie

[Linda]

Very helpful.

Thank you so very much.