We love this line from the film “Chariots of Fire.” In this film based on a true story, the Scotsman Eric Liddell, China-born son of missionary parents, tells his sister in 1924 that he is going back to China to preach—but not yet.
“I believe that God made me for a purpose—for China. But he also made me fast! And when I run, I feel His pleasure.”
He pauses. His sister believes games—even Olympic games—are child’s play, not worthy of a serious man of God. She cannot imagine a God who enjoys races. Eric continues:
“To give it up would be to hold God in contempt. It’s not just ‘fun.’ To win is to honor Him.”
What are we to make of this? The lines from the movie are NOT scripture, obviously.
Can we argue from scripture that God is as interested in your hobbies as He is your work—does He enjoy your AVOCATION as much as your VOCATION?
Does God call people to hobbies? To activities they love—and that God loves for them—but that have nothing to do with pay? I believe the answer is yes.
There was a time when life was not about cash but barter. You do what you do—and which activity would pay off might not be clear until later. God is interested in cleaning, yard work, home repairs, car repairs, child care, fishing, golf, baseball, knitting, quilting, jogging, decorating, and more. Use your time wisely, but don’t put ALL your energy into your vocation and leave yourself too drained for anything else.
You are not going to wear only one hat. God calls most of us to wear a LOT of hats.
“And when I run I feel God’s pleasure.”
Have you ever felt God’s pleasure? Have you ever felt God calling you to activities that have nothing to do with your official “work”? I sure have.
WHEN DO YOU FEEL GOD’S PLEASURE?
“The hand of Yahweh his God was on him” Ezra 7:6.
I believe God’s hand is often on us as we pursue tasks both serious and un-serious. If “laughter doeth good like a medicine” (Proverbs 17:22), then surely God is interested in our hobbies, our entertainment, our laughter. God invented laughter, after all. Rather than prepare an exhaustive study of verses I believe prove this point*, I will conclude with this: some of the happiest people I know are those with the most well-developed, thriving hobbies.
Lead us, God. Show us how to bring you delight.
ΑΩ
*Proverbs 31 indicates the dozens of tasks performed by the “Proverbs 31 Woman,” some of which might be called paying jobs, other hobbies. Each is more productive perhaps than running, reading, or watching movies, but nevertheless, I’m convinced God is interested in all of life–your vocation and your avocations, your up-time and your down-time.
Household Words: 