For years the question would come up “So what do you like to do besides ministry?”

I often would say “Well, I enjoy sports and politics.”

The reply:  ”Do you get out to play much?”  and I would say “Not as much as I’d like.”

The reality is that while I do enjoy sports (baseball, basketball and football), these were not really hobbies.  I wasn’t in any leagues and I didn’t get out to clear my head very often.

Politics is a hobby to me but it’s not exactly a stress relief.  In fact, honestly thinking through the issues, reading first-hand documentation and listening to the spin doctors all add strain and stress to an already stressful calling of launching a new church.

So what’s my hobby?  I like to read.  But I don’t like fiction.  I only enjoy reading books that I can actually apply to my life and non-fiction strikes me as a waste of time.  So reading isn’t a great hobby for me as it usually ends up in the theological or political world.

I got to thinking… “When do I refuel?  When do I actually decompress and relax?”  For me that answer is in long rides and nature.  Typically I like to find a body of water and simply sit with my bible or just take time to recognize my own humanity.  We live in such a linear world where our brain is only challenged to consider the things that most directly impact us and in the order of a timeline.  Immediate and urgent tend to occupy our frontal lobe and the rest of our lives backs up like a line at Wal-Mart.

So again I thought.  What if I could get the joy of relaxation and rest while getting my mind completely off of being a pastor and considering politics?  What would give me an opportunity to learn something new while enjoying God’s creation.

Enter my new lime green hobby:  

My 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 650r

In the weeks to come I will likely talk about what I’m learning and how it relates to faith and the ministry.  For now I simply want to encourage my ministry friends in particular but everyone in general, find yourself a hobby!  Be sure you have the ability to keep your sanity in the midst of all of the stress you juggle.  This is doing it for me.  I hope you’ll find what works for you.