How often I have heard or said, “There‘s nothing to do.” This bored plea for entertainment, excitement, etc., overlooks all those commands of God, things we are to DO.
All the entertaining and exciting escapes from loneliness and boredom which really work involve being with other people, interacting with them. There are people all around us who are just as hungry as we are for some release from routine and ennui. At first they may seem cold and distant, while they figure out what we are up to, who we are, how serious we are about being their friends.
“I know I should/could do this or that, but they are boring.” Some things must be done, boring or not. We brush our teeth, comb our hair every day -- what could be more routine, more boring? Yet we do them religiously. We have many such responsibilities. Other things we do could be more enjoyable if we think of them positively, creatively. Still others, if we share them with someone else. And others, we should not do at all, they steal our time and strength.
“I am tired of doing all these worthless things -- I want to do things which really count!” Well, what would you say does really count? “Vanity, vanity, all is vanity!” Not quite -- if we accept God’s value system, working with His Word and ministering with people are two very worthwhile things. The Word is eternal, and so are people. We have the opportunity to be involved in things of ETERNAL value! “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.(Eph. 2:10)
Encouraging, Giving, Showing Mercy, Teaching, Comforting, Exhorting, Helping, Evangelizing -- and on and on and on. Don’t say you can’t -- you already do these things to some degree -- and God has specially gifted each one of us in various different areas, so that we may all serve Him and others. “Each one should use whatever spiritual gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (I Peter 4:10 NIV)
(rbsc 1976)