B-O-R-I-N-G

“I am bored.” “My life is boring.” “I am bored to tears.” 
Recently I have heard statements about being bored from a seventy-year-old retiree, a thirty-year-old Generation Z-er, an eleven-year-old fourth grader, and a forty-year-old wife and mother.
BORING HAPPENS.

• Fact:  You and I can become bored.

Steve Roll has been bitten by the boring bug more times than I can count. I definitely do not like the sense that my life is stuck on the boredom button. Being bored is not my buddy.

• Last time I checked, boredom is not one of the fruits of the Spirit!

 B-o-r-i-n-g is epidemic in our hyper-speed, fast-paced, entertainment crazed, technology driven society. Our culture has more STUFF TO DO THAN EVER. Activities ad nauseum. Endless events. Online games. Unceasing demands on our time and energy.
Lots of stuff to do…BUT WE HAVE MORE BOREDOM THAN EVER!
Americans are a go, go, go ….do, do, do people that have no idea what to do when the go and do come to a screeching halt.
I have a couple of thoughts about boredom. Boring is never invited. It just shows up. Who gets up in the morning, begins their day by declaring I cannot wait to be bored today?  No one in their reasonably sound mind that I know.
Boring is a genuine feeling that comes and goes.
Boredom messes with our head and emotions. Stimulates all sorts of stinking thinking. Tempts us to be discouraged and depressed. Being bored is a royal pain in the hind end! 

• So, what should you and I do when boring shows up? How about focusing on the abundant life we believers in Christ have in Him? Good idea!  

The Parable of the Good Shepherd is found in John 10:1-18. Read this passage in its entirety. Jesus declares He is the Good Shepherd (the Savior) who takes care of the sheep (you and me).
 A shepherd knows each sheep by name. The sheep know the shepherd’s voice. Shepherds protect the sheep from predators who seek to destroy them. The shepherd is willing to lay his life down to save the sheep.
In verse 10 John writes about Jesus: “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I (the Good Shepherd) have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly,”     
What does abundant life in Christ have to do with beating boring? Everything. When you and I walk by faith that the Good Shepherd Jesus laid His life down for us sheep so we could have an abundant life, boredom fades into the sunset!
Boredom wants you and me to think we have no life. Nothing is happening. Where did the fun go? Jesus laid down His life on a cruel Cross and rose from the dead so that we could be saved. Salvation is all about joy! The joy of receiving Jesus’ joy that no one can steal from us (John 16:20).
Listen up my friend.  When I am wrestling with boring, I still have abundant life in Christ. His victory is my victory. His joy is my joy. His peace is my peace. How can abundant life in Christ be boring? Not possible. Abundant life in the Lord is sustaining, satisfying, gratifying, fulfilling and eternal.
Just a thought. Boring won’t kill you! Make boredom work for you.

• When boredom sneaks up on you, remind the boredom boogey-man that you have abundant life in Christ. I am alive forever in Jesus. Take that boredom!

Battling Boredom

• Boredom has a lifespan. It does not last forever. Sometimes boring lingers longer than at other times. If a person is bored all the time, they need to get a life! The point is: you and I will not be bored all the days of our lives unless we choose to do so!
• When boredom shows up, do not do something stupid that you will regret. Resist the temptation to do anything out of God’s will just because you are bored. Amazing how many bored folks sin!
• Being busy for the sake of being busy is not the antidote for boredom. Busyness will just wear you out… and make you more bored with life!
• Get up. Get out. Do something meaningful and rewarding. Then come back and take a nap! Sleep that boring spirit off.   
• Turn “boring” moments into opportunities to draw closer to God. Read your Bible. Listen to praise music. Pray for people you care about. Write an encouraging note to someone. Text a scripture to someone. Call someone up. Serve your loved ones. Help out with ministry at your church. Reach out to help someone who needs assistance and encouragement from a servant of Jesus.
• Life is not just about me. Boredom’s focus is self. Stop being so self-centered. Be other-centered. Who needs me to serve them in Jesus’ name today? There is nothing more rewarding (and not boring) when we volunteer to serve others along life’s journey. The regards are amazing!
• Keep your spiritual armor on (Ephesians 6:1-10). Satan will attack with a spirit of boredom to keep Christ’s followers from abundant living in Christ and reaching out to win lost souls for the Kingdom of God. Sadly, folks who reject Jesus, will be bored all the way to hell!
• When boredom comes knocking on your mind’s door, keep the door locked. Find something meaningful and valuable to do. Boring will have to knock on someone else’s door!

 

• My friend, Spirit-filled living, enjoying abundant life in Christ, beats boring. Life is not boring when we love Jesus with all our heart and serve others in His name.   

“It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.” Matthew 20:26
“Now we who are strong should bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.” Romans 15:1
“Serve the Lord with gladness, come before Him with joyful singing.” Psalm 100:2
A Word For Your Week: Beat boredom with abundant life in Christ!