Have a Healthy, Wholesome Hobby
If you are like me, you enter into a daily struggle to be the best Christian you can be. One way of achieving better results that may not have crossed your mind is Fr. Thomas Hopko’s 21st Maxim for Christian Living:
Have a healthy, wholesome hobby.
That’s right, having a hobby can be an excellent way to grow in the Christian life, provided it is one that makes us healthier and happier people. One of my more recent hobbies, as many of you know, is iconography. Writing icons is first and foremost for me a form of prayer, a time to contemplate the events of the life of Christ and the saints. It is also an activity that engages my mind and body. It has stretched me to discover new things about myself and has been a place where I can practice discipline. All these things are a source of strength for me in my attempt to live as a Christian.
Iconography is by its nature a religious activity, but a hobby need not be connected to religion for it to be a source of strength for Christian living. One might just as well take part in one’s favorite sport, travel, or make model airplanes. The way that a healthy, wholesome hobby assists us in living the Christian life is that when we take time to do the things we enjoy, we are happier people. The satisfaction in having time for leisure easily spills into other areas of our life and gives us a reason to thank God for the gift of life and to share our life with others. It also allows us to follow God’s commandment to take time for rest.
What is your favorite hobby? How has it helped you become the best version of yourself?
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