Nominal Christians and the Problem of Boredom

Isn't it tough living in America today?

Everything is connected to the internet, making information available at your fingertips. With this instant delivery of information, people want things faster. Fast food is available so you can get it now. Everything is available now...except for spiritual growth.

Spiritual growth is not a bing bang boom convenience. You only get out of your faith what you put in. If you don't spend any time in God's Word during the week, you will hinder your spiritual growth.

Do you eat food once a week?

Of course not. But if you compare your spiritual growth to physical growth, you would have a hard time physically if you only ate food once a week.

Many Christians only go to church once a week, and leave the Bible on the top shelf (or in the car) for the remaining 6 days.

How do you expect to grow spiritually if you don't read the Bible?

The answer is: You can't and you won't.

The reality is: You are either a Christian 7 days a week and seek God 7 days a week, or you are a nominal Christian in name only, and you are stagnant or growing nominally.

Back to the original question: "Isn't it tough living in America today?"

Compared to other countries, we have it pretty good. Sure, our economy is doing very badly in 2013, but it still trumps most countries.

There are people out there starving and wondering where their next meal is going to come from. There are people out there that have to hunt for their next meal, and then prepare it.

Do you think these people are getting bored?

Of course not. They have to work, or they don't eat. What if it was like that here in America. I bet you our economy would be doing better. Many Americans expect the government to provide for them, when they are physically able to work. It is a sad situation.

I went on Facebook recently, and a person I know was complaining because they are bored. On top of that, a relative of mine was complaining about her situation because everything was boring to her. Let me point out that all of her needs have been taken care of. Both individuals are Christians.

I personally take offense to when people complain to be bored, especially if they call themselves a "Christian."

No Christian should exclaim, "I am bored," and I will tell you why below.

[King Solomon writes]

"There is no one who has tried to enjoy life more than I have. And this is what I learned: The best thing people can do is eat, drink, and enjoy the work they must do. I also saw that this comes from God.If people do good and please God, he will give them wisdom, knowledge, and joy. But those who sin will get only the work of gathering and carrying things."

-Ecclesiastes 2:24-26a (ERV)

Let me sum it up for you:

If you have to work, then find something positive out of your experience. You have to do it, so you might as well have a good attitude about it. By doing so, you will lead others toward God.

But, if you complain and have a negative attitude about it, it will be work. You will find no joy or happiness in it.

If you have the attitude that everyday tasks are boring, then they will be boring. Instead, try to have the attitude that you will find the silver lining in everything, and that you are going to make whatever you do, "fun."

In Psalm 143, David writes in verse 5:

"I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your doings;
I muse on the work of Your hands."

The word "muse" means to think. Christians are to think about the things of God, and everything He has done. So "a-muse" means no thinking is required. An amusement park (picture on right) is an example. You can go there, you don't have to think, and you can just have a good time. There is nothing wrong with taking time to enjoy yourself and relax.

The only problem is that some people want to be in permanent "amusement" mode. They don't want to work, don't want to think, and don't want to live in reality. Unfortunately, this includes some Christians. So lets get down to the root of the problem.

It is hard to think on the things of God when text messages are coming in, and the television is on, and the phone is ringing. But before you stoop so low as to blame your cell phone for lack of spiritual growth, let's remember who is in charge here -- you. You can't let your things rule you...

...and God has an answer for this.

It is found in Psalm 46:10:

"Be still, and know that I am God."

In order for this to take place, you need to put your cellphone away (turn it off or put it on silent).

In order for this to take place, you need to turn the television off. I know this sounds crazy, but muting it is still not enough. Turn it completely off.

If you respect and honor God, you will seek him without distractions. Otherwise, you are setting yourself up for failure.

"Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people's business."

-2 Thessalonians 3:11

"Lazy people sleep soundly, but idleness leaves them hungry."

-Proverbs 19:15

"And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone."

-1 Thessalonians 5:14

"Laziness leads to a sagging roof; idleness leads to a leaky house."

-Ecclesiates 10:18

"Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good."

-Ecclesiastes 11:6

When you are in the state of being bored, it means that your entertainment devices and whatever technology you have, has run its course. They no longer amuse you.

Now is when you have a moment of clarity. It is time to spend time with God.

At this point, have been saturated with entertainment to the point that it no longer entertains you. You are now ready for the next thing. Pointing out that you are bored is pretty much the same thing as saying: "Somebody, please entertain me."

For the Christian, this is a dangerous place to be. Being bored is the realization that you are in an idle state. Christians should spend time seeking God. But when a Christian says "I am bored," he or she does not understand that the very fact that you have life is a gift from God.

To say "I am bored" is like slapping God in the face, if that were possible. It is an insult, and it takes your life for granted. I am willing to bet that the very people that claim boredom don't even spend a regular devotion time with God.

I personally don't even have bored in my vocabulary. If you have free time, spend it doing productive things, spend it with God, and spend it with family.

Your time is limited here on this Earth. Don't take it for granted. Thank God for your life, and seek Him with every spare minute.

Don't allow yourself to be in a state of boredom - which is an idle state - because the Bible warns against this.