that it is boring. The truth is the Christian life is where we find
true joy and lasting peace, hope and contentment. These things, like
all good and perfect things, come from God (James 1:17). The
difficulty is that, if you're not a believer in Christ, you truly
don't know what you're missing.
This is not to say that the Christian life is easy. One writer
describes growing in the Christian faith as being "on a never-ending
downward escalator. In order to grow we have to turn around and sprint
up the escalator putting up with perturbed looks from everyone else
who is gradually moving downward." Christ never deluded anyone into
thinking it would be easy to follow Him (see Matthew 10:34-39). It's
not easy, but the hardships help prevent boredom.
Those who believe the Christian life is boring have never taken God's
invitation to "taste and see that the LORD is good" (Psalm 34:8).
Instead, they selfishly pursue whatever they think will make them "not
bored" or happy or content. The problem is, the things of this world
are temporary and can never truly satisfy. The Bible tells us that
sowing to please our sinful nature will surely lead to destruction
(Galatians 6:8). King Solomon, the wisest and richest person who ever
lived, had everything a person could possibly want. He said, "I denied
myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure"
(Ecclesiastes 2:10). Solomon had it all, but he concluded that it was
"meaningless" and likened it to "chasing after the wind" (v. 11). In
other words, he had everything this world had to offer, and he was
bored.
Sometimes, a new Christian is surprised that his new life is not "more
exciting," as if the Christian life is supposed to be a
thrill-a-minute extravaganza. No life is that. Boredom is something we
must all overcome. Everyone stands in line at the grocery store, gets
caught in traffic, or is given jobs he'd rather not do.
Part of the problem may be how "boredom" is defined. Is it a lack of
excitement? Nothing can stimulate perpetual exhilaration. Is it
inactivity? If so, then the key is to find something to do. Is it
uninterest? If so, the key is to be more curious. Is it a lack of
"fun"? In that case, "fun" needs to be defined, since "fun" is itself
a highly subjective concept.
Some people assume that being a Christian is boring because they've
heard that Christians have to give up all the "fun" things in life.
It's true that Christians give up some things, but it's not the fun.
Christians give up their sin, their self-destructive behavior, their
addictions, their negative attitudes and their ignorance of God. In
return, they receive "righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit"
(Romans 14:17). They "live as children of light" in a dark world
(Ephesians 5:8). The mistakes of their past no longer have a
stronghold in their lives. They no longer live for themselves but for
the One who died for them. They serve others and make a difference
(Romans 14:7; Philippians 2:4). They are becoming everything that God
created them to be. It is virtually impossible to be bored in such a
life.
The only thing in this world that has eternal value is a relationship
with Jesus Christ. A growing, committed Christian will find that life
is never boring. There's always another step of faith to take, another
relationship to build, another person to serve.
Is the Christian life supposed to be "boring"? Absolutely not. Jesus
said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full"
(John 10:10).
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