1. What would make it difficult for artists to talk about any feelings of jealousy and envy they might have toward another artist? That’s easy. Talking about it openly would mean admitting that we feel inferior, admitting that we feel left out or invisible, admitting that we might not be the best.
2. Do you think that the Christian community does an adequate job of addressing the problem of jealousy and envy? Why or why not? I would have to say no. The opening scenario for this chapter hit way too close to home. I don’t think Christians are talking about it or calling it by name. When I’m jealous of someone, I complain, I don’t explain.
3. Have you ever seen a relationship strained or terminated by jealousy and envy? I can say that I see people not entering into relationships because of jealousy or envy. I don’t see a lot of us trusting each other. I see entire ministries suffering because of “personality conflicts” that I believe must stem from jealousy and envy.
4. When do you think a person’s jealousy and envy are serious enough for the person to do something about it? At the onslaught of jealousy and envy, it is serious enough to do something about it. If one waits too long, it is out of control and much more damaging and harder to fix without more devastation to the heart and spirit. Of course, most won’t do anything about it at all.
5. What do you think prevents us from being content with the talents we’ve been given? There is always something more that would help us be more. And we always want to be more than we are. I love to sing. I want to sing. I’m fair enough. But if I could just sing a little better, I’d be more confident to put myself out there to scrutiny. Ugh, this is killing me! I should be thrilled that I’m not good enough to warrant competition. And if there are complaints, I at least know they are true. Hahaha.
6. In what ways could healthy competition benefit an artistic community? Healthy competition inspires excellence. People will rise to the occasion when they are working with or against someone of equal or greater talent. You will get more out of me for placing me in competition with someone who is more than me. And I will appreciate the stretch. I will see that I can be more and do more than I once thought. I will have grown.
7. When is competition bad for an artistic community? When we are always competing. Especially when you always have to take second fiddle. It can be demoralizing. You feel like you’re never growing. And if you are the best, if you always win, you will feel superior. But you really need to find more and different people to compete against. There is always someone better out there. Too much competition and not enough relationship are not healthy. There must always be time to commune together.
8. What happens when we compare ourselves with others? We either hate ourselves or glorify ourselves and neither is good. We need to take the focus off of ourselves and turn it towards God and then others. Rejoice in the generosity of God’s towards us and others. Rejoice in the gifts and talents of our community. Not one person can do all things.
9. How can people with similar gifts and talents really be friends? I wonder. I really do. I don’t know that I have friends with similar gifts and talents. No, that’s not true. I do have friends at the library that are similar, but different enough. And somehow, I rejoice with them in their amazing abilities. I love them. Yes, there is some jealousy, but not like in the church. But I spend good amounts of time with them as a team. And I don’t at church … Team building alert!
10. How does praying for someone affect your relationship with that person? Let me try it out and I’ll let you know. Hahaha. You know I’m not a pray-er. If there is something that I really need to work on, it’s personal prayer. I need to set aside time. I have a bazillion things to pray for. God is telling me to pray. It’s like I have this list that I never get to. Ugh again! Ask, God says, and He will be generous.
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:6 (ESV)
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