We all have hobbies, we have them even if we have not labeled them as a hobby.

The definition of a hobby is an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation.  

Some people have a hobby of something so simple as watching TV.  Many people knit or crochet as a hobby creating beautiful items.  Other hobbies can take the form of more vigorous activity like running or horse riding. 

There are hobbies that have risks involved  such as mountain climbing.  While it is not relaxing they take great pleasure in reaching their goal.   

Considering yourself to be a Christian is a dangerous thing to do simply for  a hobby.  We can take great pleasure in worship and relax during the sermon, we can even enjoy what we are hearing.  

But being a Christian is about having faith.  Faith is a confidence and trust in God.

Are you treating being a Christian like a hobby?  This isn’t a difficult question, it is displayed by our approach to God.

When we hear things at church that don’t line up with our lives, a hobby will not inspire change. 

When I was growing up I thought I was a Christian. We had a picture of Jesus  above our TV.  I thought I knew who Jesus was and I thought that made me a Christian.

 At college I attended a Bible study.  When the Bible study started to conflict with how I was living my life, I quit going to the Bible study. 

While I was attending the Bible Study it was just a hobby.  I enjoyed spending time with the members but I had no real intentions of changing how I was living.  That is a true indication I was treating being a Christian as a hobby.   

I began to look at being a Christian differently after the death of a friend.  At the cemetery as I watched where they were going to lay her body, I thought there had to be more to life than this.

I treated the idea of being a Christian differently when I began to seek God. I began to understand the immense love God has for me.

Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.

When you get to know God your faith becomes real and will sustain you through the trials of life.

My confidence and trust in God caused me to want to change how I was living. My faith helps me know God wants the best for me. When we have faith in God, The Holy Bible (God’s Word) becomes important guiding us to truth and wisdom.

I have peace and security today.  Through prayer, I can spend time talking with Jesus 24/7 and He will never tire of me.  Love is a great motivating force.

I know there is so much more to life now. I know that even in my physical death my life will not be over.

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

If you have treated being a Christian as hobby and have become aware of your need and desire to place your faith in Jesus’ death on the cross for your sins, you can simply confirm that decision right now by talking to Jesus through prayer.  

Jesus, I do believe you are the Son of God and that you died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin in my place. I turn from my sin and choose to live a life that pleases you.  I want to follow you all the days of my life.Thank You for Your gift of eternal life and for Your Spirit, who has now come to live in me.  I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now that you have placed your faith in Jesus your attitudes and actions will change over time.  This means that anyone who belongs to Jesus has become a new person.  The old life is gone, a new life has begun.  

Please contact me if after reading this post you made this decision.

Written and posted by Joyce E Poggensee

Verses referenced :Deuteronomy 4:29, John 3:16-17.