Questions?

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Hospitaller_Kni

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I have some questions, basically I gave up everything to follow God, because I thought it would conflict with it.
so is it ok to exercise? and too have interests or even plan anything?
I have not because I was not sure if God wanted me to do these things.
 
Exercise if you want.

Plan like you’ll live forever; live like you’ll die today.
 
I don’t see how it’s opposed to Christianity…

God made you to live life. Do your interests and hobbies etc conflict with God’s will (i.e., that he wants you to love Him and enjoy Him forever)? If not, then carry on with your hobbies and interests!

For example, you are not required to exercise, nor are you required to refrain from exercise. If you want to exercise, do it. It is, in and of itself, irrelevant to morality. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, so taking care of it is a good thing.
 
Hospitaller_Kni said:
Thank you for the reply, but isn’t this a secular view, and not one of a Christians?
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No, not really. Planning for a long future is common sense; living like you’ll die today in a Christian sense means, in addition to the do all the good you can do, “try to avoid grave sin and confess those that you do commit, because you might die today.”

But it is not necessary to give up all worldly things to follow God. God created the world and saw that it is good. You can, of course, but if you find yourself saying “do I need to stop X to follow God,” then the simple answer is “if it’s sinful or leading you into sin, then yes you need to stop; and if not then no.”
 
I thought that it was selfish to have interests and the problem is i was into them that much that they did interfere with my spirituality such as fishing, so i completely refuted and gave up everything and as i am currently single i was not completely aware of my vocation.
 
Hospitaller_Kni said:
I thought that it was selfish to have interests and the problem is i was into them that much that they did interfere with my spirituality such as fishing, so i completely refuted and gave up everything and as i am currently single i was not completely aware of my vocation.
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My humble opinion - if you think fishing (and other hobbies) are taking away from your spiritual life I would say that you should consult with a priest to find a proper balance in your faith-life. Unless you are discerning on becoming a monk or hermit such ascetic tendencies (i.e. “completely refuted and gave up everything”) may not be the most positive way to celebrate your faith.

God Bless!
 
I would recommend speaking with a priest (perhaps even obtaining a spiritual director) to help you work these things out.

I know a lot of Christians who – in the zeal of their conversion – go to extremes in some ways. It is not uncommon. However, there is no reason for you to give up all your interests and hobbies. God loves you for who you are. So long as there is no sin involved, just follow the advice of St. Augustine: “Love God. Then do what you want.” If you have that close relationship with the Lord and love Him, then your will becomes aligned with His will.

Remember, grace builds on nature. That you have interests and hobbies is good. Let the Lord sanctify those parts of your life. Don’t cut them out.

There are some who are called to forsake everything for the Kingdom. However – and this is very important – such a calling should not be discerned independently, apart from the Church. There’s far too great a chance of veering off into bad places. If you firmly believed you have such a call, you definitely need a spiritual director. You should not attempt such a lifestyle without one. There’s a reason that religious live in communities.
 
Hospitaller_Kni said:
I thought that it was selfish to have interests and the problem is i was into them that much that they did interfere with my spirituality such as fishing, so i completely refuted and gave up everything and as i am currently single i was not completely aware of my vocation.
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No not “selfish” to have interests…

But we do YES follow Christ -and this means we are to be moderate and reasonable in our interests. If ones love for fishing takes one away from Sunday Mass (outside say some special vacation say where one has a dispensation from ones Pastor cause one is far far far away from any Mass etc that week) --then one needs to reform that part.

As St. Benedict put it - prefer nothing to Christ. But that does not mean that one cannot have various good interests.
 
A story is told of one coming upon some Monks who where recreating --and the person was surprised. To which the Saint replied – if you keep your bow taut all the time --what will happen? The person replied it will break…

Hence the need for good recreation.

One live in God – and fish at the same time. And that does not mean one has to have ones Bible or Rosary in the other hand (though that too can be good).
 
Oh…taut. I was confused for a second. I was like, wait…what?
 
Even the Carthusians – have their weekly walk in the countryside.
 
There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with fishing.
Sitting by the bank of a canal or river, with one or 2 lines in the water gives you a great, tranquil time when you can take out a Bible and read Gods Word, and Pray and Meditate.

Of course any hobby can become an occasion of sin it it detracts from your duties for your current station in life.
 
I take religeous sermons and lectures to listen to on my ipod when I go Fishing. That way I get to go fishing and learn about God.
 
A Discalced Carmelite Friar told my OCDS group that God doesn’t ask us to give up everything, nor even things we enjoy.

We’re asked to detach from inordinate things.

We’re not asked to not take a cool drink of water on a hot day, nor enjoy the sunset in the evening.

But keep a spirit of poverty in that, whatever you receive from God, consider them gifts in the moment and don’t try to posses them. Enjoy and let go.

Jim
 
Thank you all for the replies, they have been very helpful:), and may I add I was discerning priesthood/religious life.
 
Many great saints were quite playful and had fantastic senses of humor. Jesus drank wine, and privately I like to think that he smiled and laughed a lot. Happiness and joy are a part of the way God made us, and it’s been my experience that happiness and joy is what naturally comes forth when we stop getting in the way of His will. Refusing to let that joy into your life and out into the world then would be an outrageous heresy, IMO.
 
Whatever your interests or occupations, do EVERYTHING for the honor and greater glory of God and to fulfill His Will … and for the salvation of souls. God bless you.
 
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