Boredom

I heard someone say recently that they were bored; in fact, I’ve heard lots of people complain of this particular ailment recently, and it has gotten me thinking.  I’m accustomed to hearing kids complain of this particular issue, I certainly did – usually the complaint was followed by a suggestion from my mom that there was always loads of cleaning etc. that I could do, but only in my generation has it become common for ADULTS to complain of this malady, and that has me concerned.  Why are so many people bored?!? 

Have we become a culture that must be constantly entertained by someone else? Are we losing our ability to be creative and find something constructive to do with all this extra time we find on our hands?  I would say that we certainly are, but yet, it kept nagging me that it was more than this.

Then it hit me.  When we spend our lives living for ourselves that is what we find, boredom. When life becomes all about me, me, me and everything isn’t falling into place the way we want it to so that we are happy and can do what we want, then we become despondent and this despondency is rapidly transformed into what we call boredom.  How do we overcome boredom?

It is really quite simple.  If we choose to no longer live life with ourselves and our own wishes at the center, if we make it our life ambition to live for another, namely the One who created us (I don’t mean accepting Yeshua as Savior to avoid Hell, I mean seriously live our lives as if they are NOT OUR OWN), then I can honestly say there will no longer be a spare moment for boredom.  When everyone’s in bed or out partying and previously we would have succumbed to loneliness and boredom, we will instead spend some much needed time with our amazing Bridegroom.  We will turn on some worship music and have a little party, just the two of us!  In our every waking moment we will be listening to the One we love, waiting to hear His next words of guidance, looking for the next opportunity to show His love.

However, it is not something to be taken lightly, this decision to live for Another. Many have died for making that very choice. It will cost everything, and yet nothing that was worth anything in the first place. It can be a life filled with excitement and adventure, but also pain. How much is it worth to you, never to be bored again? What are you willing to give up in order to gain this?