Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. - Galatians 5:24 NIV
It is a healthy thing to have hobbies. Studies have found that the break we take from work to do something we enjoy is good mentally and physically. However, when that thing becomes an obsession, it can have an opposite effect. For example, when the boys were younger, we would watch football, something we enjoyed, giving us male bonding time. One day, I realized I watched football Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday (high school), and Saturday (college). In addition, I was playing in two fantasy football leagues. One day, I thought about the time I was spending with God. How little time I spent in prayer and Bible study, and suddenly I was embarrassed. I still like to watch football, but now it is far fewer games.
There are a lot of things that we are passionate about, which we desire. Unfortunately, it is easy to let these things turn into an unhealthy obsession, which can be almost anything. When that happens, it is time to step back and reevaluate where our passions lie. Add up the hours spent on that favorite thing and compare it to the hours spent developing our relationship with Christ -- that thing that is lasting and eternal. If the results make us feel uncomfortable, it's time to make some changes.
Almighty and awesome God, we give you thanks for giving us things to enjoy. You desire us to rest and appreciate all you have created. Lord, we confess we sometimes spend too much time on pleasure and ignore our spiritual connection. For that, we are most sorry and ask your forgiveness. Please help us die to our passions and desires of this world and focus on what is truly important, our relationship with you. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
