Did you know that July is National Anti-Boredom Month? I’m not making it up! It got me to thinking about the Christian life and how some people think being a Christian is boring. If that’s the case, then perhaps they aren’t taking any risks for Jesus. Let me illustrate:
Somebody doing a bungee jump might dive off of a bridge plummeting toward the river below. Just before impact, the elastic cord yanks him back. He/she put total faith in that bungee cord.
As ”bungee jumpers for Jesus” we wouldn’t be bored! We would be willing to leave our comfort zones and step out for Jesus … to take that leap of faith. We would obey Him in all situations, especially those that are out of our control. We would trust Him fully. We would act on what we say we believe.
Think of the “bungee jumpers” in Scripture: Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David, etc. I highly doubt if they were bored. They went to the edge and took the plunge, being confident that God would hold on to them even though they didn’t see or feel like it.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. (Heb. 11:1-2)
Think about these questions:
- What are some low risk plunges for you as a Christian?
- What are some higher risk plunges for you as a Christian?
A sure cure for boredom in the Christian life is to take some faith risks, to make a difference. If we never take risks, we will have little need for faith. We can start with the lower risk plunges. As we do, we will find God to be totally reliable. We will find Him to be all-sufficient. Then we will be ready to take some higher risk plunges for Him . . . and be bored no more!
What plunges have you taken recently?
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So I had a question for you. Is it normal to be bored, when you are a christian? It appears that a year ago ‘life with God’ was really exciting, but is there a reason why it’s as ‘dull as tombs’ this year? Am I doing something wrong? I go to church, read my bible, go to work, part-time, but don’t seem to be able to find anything else to do. everyone else has their own lives and their own families. I go to a church that is actually really boring: there’s lot of older folks and married people, but no one who really wants to take risks spiritually, so hence, I’m bored. Is there something I can do to get out of this rut?
Thanks for your honesty, Jessica. First let me say that it is difficult when we are surrounded by people who have no or little zeal for the Lord. However, ultimately we must each personally stand before the Lord. (Rom. 14:10-12)
I think of the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2. They did all the right stuff but God said, “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.” It sounds like they too were in a rut. His solution to them was to 1) Remember: “Remember the height from which you have fallen.” 2) “Repent.” 3) Retool: “Do the things you did at first.”
It is important to understand that the word repent actually deals with the mind more than behavior. It is a change in your thinking that enables you to “retool.” A lot of boredom in the Christian life has to do with perspective … how we view the Christian life. Here are some things I believe make a difference.
1) Duty vs. Delight – The church of Ephesus did the right stuff but something was missing. When Christian life becomes more about duty (going to church, reading Bible, etc.), some of the excitement and motivation goes out of us. When we keep it about love and faith in what HE will do in and through us, we can live in anticipation out of which generates an enthusiasm and excitement in the Christian life.
2) Drudgery vs. Joy – Our society tells us to live in the moment, to get all you can now and instantly. The Christian life, however, is a process. We don’t experience all the rewards of being a Christian right now. We often have to simply persevere, even go through hard times. If we view the Christian life through our circumstances, we can easily get discouraged or go into the humdrums. Can we be content, like the Apostle Paul (Phil. 4:11), regardless of our circumstances? We can if we maintain a big picture perspective. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Heb. 12:2-3)
3) Destination vs. Journey – Again, the Christian life is a process. We never arrive. We continually press on. (Phil. 3:10-14) When we get stuck in ruts it is often because we lost sight of the venture.
4) Law vs. Grace – We have not arrived. We sometimes still sin. We sometimes have dry spells. If we beat ourselves up because of where we are, we will find it hard to get beyond. The focus needs to get off of “Am I doing something wrong?” to the grace and help we find in the Lord to change. Condemnation is oppressive and holds us down. Grace is freeing and builds us up. Titus 2:12-13 says that it is grace that “teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
When your Christian life can be described with words like duty, drudgery, destination, and law, you will not tend to take those faith risks. However, when it is about delight, joy, grace, and you understand that you are on a journey, you will be more likely to step out.
Let me encourage you to read through the book of Philippians with the above four points in mind. As you read, keep asking yourself what a difference it makes if you approach the Christian life from a point of duty versus delight, from drudgery vs. joy, from destination vs. journey, and from law vs. grace. Look at the Apostle Paul’s example in this book in these regards.
Hello there,
I want to thank you for your prompt response. It really meant a lot to me. Everything you said, made sense, and that was really great. Sometimes it’s difficult to find a christian who’s “going ahead,” and “moving ahead,” and “pressing on” for Christ. thank you so much for taking the time to read my comment. I feel a little sheepish, but in a good way. I wish more people were encouraging each other in the Lord. I find few people to be that way. I have stepped out a couple of times in faith, but I always seem to come back here, to where I’m living. Perhaps this is where I’m supposed to be for the time being? I would really appreciate prayer. Thank you so much again for writing back. God Bless, Jessica
You are most welcome, Jessica. Remember that God looks at your heart. I encourage you to take your time to digest what I wrote, letting each point sink deep within. And perhaps with King David you can pray, “From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Ps. 61:2). — I’ll also ask our prayer support team to be praying for you in your walk with God.