Free Time

Hi-jacked from Amanda.

Does what I choose to do for fun glorify Christ?
Yes, sometimes.  I spend a lot of time on the computer, and that often glorifies Christ.  I use Facebook and my blog as avenues to preach the Gospel.  Like Amanda, I see my blog as a ministry of sorts, since I have found a community here, through which we share mutual encouragement and exhortation.  Sometimes, though, I just waste time clicking “refresh” on the Facebook news feed when I could be doing something productive.

I also love to read and write.  Much of what I read is Gospel-centered, and what I journal is usually reflective and viewed through the lens of the Gospel and how/if I am a useful servant.  I also try to keep much of what I write here focused on Christ.

Otherwise, I do still watch TV occasionally.  Thanks be to God that I don’t have any shows I *have* to watch anymore!  What a beating that was.  Now I just casually enjoy a sitcom every now and then.  I can’t say, however, that any of it is inspirational or encouraging to me — it just makes me laugh.

Do I choose to spend some of my available time in ministry?
Yes.  Isn’t my whole life a ministry?  I assume this is talking about some sort of organized or intentional ministry, to which my answer would still be yes.  However, I think a better question for me would be: How often do you allow your selfishness to distract you from your ministry?  And THAT would be all the time.

Do I spend time with believers and unbelievers in my life?
Yes.  I have a pretty good support system through my small group of Bible-believing Christ followers.  I spend my whole day teaching students from varying faiths (Muslim, Buddhist, Mandaean, Hindu).  It’s weird, though; I generally choose to spend my free time with believers.  I truly need to actively seek out non-believers with whom I can freely speak the name of Christ (as opposed to in my classroom, where I cannot).  That’s something that has always been a major weak point in my life; I am bold behind a computer screen, but timid in person.  It’s shameful.

Do I spend more time and energy on my hobbies than on things that have eternal significance? How?
Well, my hobbies are reading and writing.  Since those things revolve around the Bible and Bible-based texts, it’s kind of hard to answer.  I suppose I could look at it in terms of application.  I’m learning, but am I applying?  How much energy do I put into reaching others for Christ?  I try to show kindness to strangers, but do I tell them why I’m sharing a kindness?  In answer to the question in bold — yes and no.

 

→What about you?