In the Bible, David was a busy man. A shepherd, a soldier, a king—all busy callings. But he was also a poet and a musician. His callings and his hobbies both brought glory to God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” The verse applies to so many areas of life. Whether you cook or clean. Whether you wait in the car pool line or commute to work. Whether you work or rest. Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
So let’s talk about what we do when we rest.
Dictionary.com says hobby is defined as “an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation.”
Our hobbies are as varied as we are, from reading or writing to playing tennis or cooking new recipes. You can run marathons or refinish furniture. You could watch football for relaxation or play in a flag-football league.
Jessica Turner writes about the importance of hobbies and time for yourself in The Fringe Hours:
Now, you might be saying, “Jessica, I am not crafty.” I hear you. But I am not talking about crafts. I am talking about living out the God-given passions that are inside of us. Creativity isn’t crafting; it is any original expression you pursue—running, playing music, gardening, sewing, cooking, and so on are all creative acts. Even activities like volunteering and throwing parties are creative pursuits because by giving of ourselves for others we are expressing ourselves in a meaningful way. Moreover, these are activities that inspire us in an indescribable way. And when we make room in our days to include them, we feel more alive and joyful.
As long as your hobby brings glory to God because He created you with the passions and talents you use, it is worth the time you occasionally take to enjoy it.
So how do we find time to rest and enjoy our hobbies? I can think of a few practical ways that have worked in my life, like when the boys are asleep, when I tell my husband I need a few hours just to myself, when James is at school, or when I can include the boys in my hobbies (we all loved gardening!).
You are never too busy to make time for what you love. It’s just a matter of prioritizing—evaluating how you spend your days and dedicating time for what you value. If something is really important to you, you will find a way to fit it into your life. – Jessica Turner, The Fringe Hours
(If you struggle to find time for rest and hobbies, I encourage you to check out Jessica Turner’s book, The Fringe Hours (affiliate link). She gives lots of encouragement and practical advice.)
What hobbies do you enjoy?
