Here is a question (non-rhetorical). How do we keep our hobbies from being idols in our lives.
Idol: anything that fills a role God should fill in our lives or anything that takes the glory and honor that should be God's.
A hobby can be a great thing. There are so many things that we can do as a hobby. (I started trying to list things and I realized that this would either be a REALLY long blog post or the list would be inadequate...so no list.) I am finding that slowly getting board games and enjoying both teaching and playing those games with other people is truly a hobby for me and something I thoroughly enjoy. Others have other hobbies. Some hobbies involve other people and some don't. Two things they do all involve is our time and our attention. So, how do we keep that from taking the place of God in our lives? How do we keep this hobby from being an idol?
My thoughts:
1. Make sure you are having your personal time that deepens your personal relationship with God. Time in a hobby isn't bad...unless it takes away time you would be spending with God.
2. Remember to thank God for the means and ability to do your hobby. The supplies, any other people to enjoy this hobby with you, and your own personal ability to do the hobby that you love. None of these are from you. They are from God, to you, as a gift. So, thank God for them.
3. Pray about the hobby. Pray that you will keep it in perspective (God, family, responsibilities, etc.) and that you will not allow it to become an idol in your life.
Those are my thoughts. Now...
Your thoughts: post and let me know what you do or what you think would be a good way to do this.
To God alone be the glory!
Idol: anything that fills a role God should fill in our lives or anything that takes the glory and honor that should be God's.
A hobby can be a great thing. There are so many things that we can do as a hobby. (I started trying to list things and I realized that this would either be a REALLY long blog post or the list would be inadequate...so no list.) I am finding that slowly getting board games and enjoying both teaching and playing those games with other people is truly a hobby for me and something I thoroughly enjoy. Others have other hobbies. Some hobbies involve other people and some don't. Two things they do all involve is our time and our attention. So, how do we keep that from taking the place of God in our lives? How do we keep this hobby from being an idol?
My thoughts:
1. Make sure you are having your personal time that deepens your personal relationship with God. Time in a hobby isn't bad...unless it takes away time you would be spending with God.
2. Remember to thank God for the means and ability to do your hobby. The supplies, any other people to enjoy this hobby with you, and your own personal ability to do the hobby that you love. None of these are from you. They are from God, to you, as a gift. So, thank God for them.
3. Pray about the hobby. Pray that you will keep it in perspective (God, family, responsibilities, etc.) and that you will not allow it to become an idol in your life.
Those are my thoughts. Now...
Your thoughts: post and let me know what you do or what you think would be a good way to do this.
To God alone be the glory!
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