4:30 AM Call to Prayer!

4:30 AM Call to Prayer!.

J’aime jouer au, j’aime écouter la musique, et tout d’autre!

I just learned my very first song on the guitar…and in the Republic of Moldova, I might add. My friend Stephanie graciously taught me the four chords to “Revelation Song” by Kari Jobe. Exciting, right? Maybe. It is the only song I plan to learn. I will explain.

In the first week of my first year of French classes at Middletown High back in 2002, Madame Joshua would ask the class what we liked to do. I could never choose. My answer usually looked like the title of this blog post. Anyway, I was trying to live up to my plethora of “Interests“ and “Activities“ on my MySpace profile. The profile song and background would change on a daily basis.

You see, I still have many hobbies. If truth be told, they are not hobbies. They are more like dabblings. I dabble. Isn’t there a Seinfeld episode about dabbling? Yeah, I am aware that Kramer dabbles in different hobbies daily, while the other three dabble through heaps of relationships. They all dabble (more like rummage) through Jerry’s kitchen cabinets. Maybe I’m just referring to the entire extravaganza.

I have a few interests that I presume will be constants. Crabbing is the first. I’ve been tying chicken necks to lines and  dipping nets from the port of my Grandpop’s boat since I was seven. Running trails, scaling mountains, being in water, climbing, and futbol…all constants. Reading, writing, concerts, cutting out pictures from National Geographic and surf magazines to plaster on my walls (I still haven’t grown out of this)…fairly constant as well. I’ve dabbled in quite a few other things these past few years. Wallyball, skiing, photography, biking, and dancing at Cowboys on Tejon Street to name a few.

I’ve heard it said many times that it is advantageous to narrow ones interests. I laugh at the prospect of this feat. I understand the thought train. The idea of having an „absolutely defining sense of self“ (quoting Tom Hanks in You’ve Got Mail during the Starbucks scene when Meg Ryan orders her tall caramel machiatto) sounds glorious.

I want to do an Iron Man.

I want to write a book.

I want to see Barcelona play Chelsea.

I would love to be fluent in a few languages.

I want to learn to play the piano.

I long to hike the Milford Trail.

Now it sounds like I’m writing a bucket list. I want, I want, I want… Let me stray from all this introspective crap.

It’s all “good.“ It’s all exciting. I can’t narrow my interests other than the main thing…the One thing. Maybe I like so many things because they all point me back to my Creator.

I like to run because it clears my mind of things in the world. I reflect and think on things that are good. I am urged to pray and the Lord brings Scripture to memory.

I like to climb mountains mostly because of the stunning landscapes. I feel so small and incapable. I am reminded that I am dearly loved. I also beat my body and make it my slave in the process. Who doesn’t pray then?

Writing naturally discloses my thoughts. When I write, I process. And when I am finished writing a piece, my mind has typically been transformed by the Lord. It’s crazy.

I can revert every other hobby back to Jesus. I love to dream. I love adventure. Jesus loves adventure.

It’s difficult to say exactly where I’m going with all of this.. These are just my thoughts. I suppose I will say a few words of encouragement to you as well as myself.

We must live with the One thing in mind. We must live to know Him. I’ve been trying to define myself through one or a few passions. It’s not worked. Defining ourselves through any hobby, passion, culture, writing, denomination,  or music genre doesn’t equate to anything significant. Delighting in the teachings of John Wesley, finding pleasure in aligning oneself with the Libiterian party, and benching 150 are all great. Enjoy it all, yes…of course. Enjoy Him through these things. If our greatest purpose is to know God and enjoy Him forever, why not explore all of the wonderful things He’s given?

So, I don’t think I’ll be narrowing my interests any time soon. If you’ve successfully conquered this feat, I commend you and would love some self-help comments in the box below. In the meantime, I’ll be enjoying my Creator and the plethora of interests He’s given me. Maybe one day I’ll narrow them.

My hands smell like goat cheese.

My hands smell like goat cheese..

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