Closing the Gospel Gap Where You Play

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” –1 Corinthians 10:31

Culture is changing rapidly, and it’s hard to keep up. Fads and fashions have continued to change over the years and often resurface in the next generation. Yes, I once had a mullet, and even this 90s trend has recently resurfaced. In the past, the latest fashion or fad would stick around long enough for most people to try it. But now, the latest and greatest can take the world by storm in the morning, only to be replaced in the evening with another dance, word, phrase, viral video, or political gaffe.

In recent years, one of the social norms you could count on was a formal handshake, greeting, and usually small talk. Since COVID-19, we struggle with whether to even greet someone with a handshake or fist bump. Generally speaking, the small talk would center around family and the question, “What do you do for a living?” Lately, I have noticed many no longer ask about vocation but have changed their question to “What do you do for fun?” It’s a slight modification but shows the heart and desire of our culture. We like to play! We want to let off some steam, and the best way is to find something fun to do. I welcome this change in our culture; God made us to work, but He also made us to enjoy life. The term “workaholic” was coined in the 1980s to describe a person who consistently works long hours. Often the driving force behind this behavior is complex. It may be ambition, a desire for wealth, or an escape from the pressures of family and life. But in today’s culture, many desire a sense of freedom and adventure, taking their play seriously. How do we leverage where we play and how we play for God’s glory and close the gospel gap in so many experiences today?

People are looking for an escape and seek this escape often in new and exciting ways. In former decades, work was often the escape. Work was somewhere else, with someone else. People commuted to work. Dolly Parton even wrote about this way of life with her song “9 to 5,” which inspired a movie. The “9 to 5” world was slowly changing, and COVID-19 sped things up fast! Now, people work at home and have a life where they never have to leave the house. There are significant benefits, extended time at home, less travel, and the ability to work when you want. One of the negative aspects of this change is you never leave your office! For many, their computer is ever-ready to pull them back into their vocation. Many still work with their hands. But, with a consumer-first mentality, many trades pride themselves on delivering a quality job even after the 9 to 5 window. Couple this with the rise of the “side hustle,” the second or third job that brings in income, and you have a day that can be filled with nothing but work.

When you can’t escape work, your leisure and hobbies become increasingly valuable. We have become professionals at our play because we often struggle with unplugging. In his book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, Mark Comer writes, “what you give your attention to is the person you become. Put another way: the mind is the portal to the soul, and what you fill your mind with will shape the trajectory of your character. In the end, your life is no more than the sum of what you gave your attention to.” This statement is so true; what we give our attention to will ultimately shape our lives, and many people are busy at work and play. For some, play is not refreshing because it has taken on the form of work. The “weekend warrior” is just that, a warrior who doesn’t rest but is just as ambitious in their play as they are in their career. This gung-ho attitude can leave us searching for something that promises fulfillment but often leaves us empty. So, where do we go if our work doesn’t fulfill us and our play doesn’t fill us? The gospel story has an answer.

When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he didn’t view our lives with a massive chasm between the secular and the sacred. He writes, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). In the book God’s Passion For His Glory, John Piper writes, “God created the world to exhibit the fullness of His glory in the God-centered joy of His people.” There is great wisdom in understanding there is great joy in this world. Every trip, every hobby, and every new adventure can reveal part of the grand story of redemption that satisfies the longing of every person. The gospel of Jesus closes the gap people experience where they live, work, and play. So, play hard! Enjoy your activities, unplug, have fun and enjoy your leisure. But remember, hobbies, weekend plans, and grand adventures will not satisfy your soul.

So, disciple, lift your head. Who is doing life with you as you play? Who has the same interests as you? Who is the person who joined up with you on the tee-box, who is running beside you on the trail, or who loves to play pick-up basketball on the weekend? They have a gospel gap, and you have the gospel story on your lips. Let us engage culture at play with the gospel of peace.