I'm Bored

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:12-15 ESV).

It is incredible to think that anyone could be bored in today’s world. However it is a phrase that I have often heard. Part of the reason is that so many people simply don’t notice what is happening right in front of them! I was reminded of this recently when I saw the following caricature depicting the birth of Abraham Lincoln: Two tired Kentucky pioneers meet with their skinny dogs on a bleak February morning. One asked, “What is new out here, neighbor?” The other replied, “Nuthin at all... nuthin’ at all, ‘cept for a new baby boy down to Tom Lincoln’s. Nuthin’ ever happens out here.”

You ever feel like “nuthin” happens where you live? Does life seem ho-hum boring? Ever get the feeling that all the excitement, all the “happenings” in the world, are occurring somewhere else to somebody else? Ever wish that just for a change, you could be on the cutting edge of something new and wonderful? Well, you might be right. Like the illustration above suggests, we may be missing what God is doing. Some people’s lives are dull and boring. Their lives are lackluster. There are a lot of people living in the slow lane of life, and they like it that way. Of course, there are others who currently occupy the slow lane, but wish for something new and exciting. They seem to be waiting for it to happen. They are a lot like the fellow who was discovered sitting by the lake, when someone asked him what he was doing, he replied: “Waiting for the fish to bite.” Interestingly, his fishing pole lay on the ground by his side. So far he hadn’t gotten around to putting a hook in the water, but he was waiting for the fish to bite. Do you see the problem?

If you’re waiting for things to happen, may I suggest that you consider “throwing a hook into the water?” Get up and make something happen “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure!” I’ve heard countless people say they wished their church could grow. Many have said they would like for their church to make an impact on their community, help change lives, and save the lost. There is just one problem. They evidently think that if they sit around long enough, someone will come along and make it all happen. They’re waiting for the right time, the right person, the right situation, the right method, or the right something that will cause things to happen. What they need to learn is that all of those things are within their grasp. They just need to get up and make something happen, for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure!” If you’re bored with life as you see it, maybe its time to do something about it!