Bored

Sometimes my granddaughter used to call me and say, “Grandma, I’m bored.” So we’d talk for a while until she was cheered up and ready to go about the tasks of life without complaining. She doesn’t do that anymore. She’s grown up, happily married, and has a baby to care for.

We go through stages of life. I’m in my latter years now and long for more adventure. No, I’m not one who seeks thrills in extreme sports like skydiving or hang gliding or snorkeling. I’m kind of tame, but I do like variety. So I have to guard against being bored when there are not a lot of activities that I can engage in anymore. I enjoy finding fulfillment in the quiet things of life.

My father was a quiet man. For years he worked on an assembly line at an IBM factory. He ran a milling machine which made intricate small parts for complex contraptions. I don’t even know what they were. Whatever came before computers, I guess. I know he didn’t enjoy it, but he did it faithfully in order to provide for his family. To break the rhythm of monotony, he would do fun things like taking us for rides in the car and “getting lost” on unfamiliar roads in the countryside.

In his retirement years, I remember that he always spent time each morning reading God’s Word and praying. Now that’s a routine that should never be boring. The Scriptures come alive when the Spirit of God breathes into the words new meaning and depth. Even though I’ve read them before, and even though I know the “end of the story,” so to speak, it can be exciting and nourishing to let Word sink into my heart more deeply. Are you finding that to be true, or are you bored? If so, ask the Spirit to make it fresh to you once more.

If you are bored with cooking, or planning meals, or walking the same path every day, or doing your little part on an assembly line, or doing the same exercises over and over, try challenging yourself to add some creative twists to the routine. And remember the verse: Colossians 3:23 (NKJV) – “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”

That challenge was directed to slaves or bondservants, who I’m sure had to do boring tasks day after day. But a few verses earlier, Paul says this: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” A  modern version puts it this way: “whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus…”  (NLT). What we do for and with others isn’t just for their sake, or our sake, but for the Lord. How can we be bored if our heart is set on Him?

“I Will Greet the Day with Singing” from “I Will Greet the Day with Singing”