Are You Bored With Life?

This week has been an interesting week, to say the least! Boredom is a foreign word in my life, and when I see people who are bored, I feel like they are from a different planet. I offer to fix their boredom problem, sharing that I have many different things they can do for me that would eliminate their boredom(I do this especially when those people are my own children!) I have realized, however, that boredom is a state of being, a state of the mind, and a stronghold to conquer, not just something a little work or assignment can fix.

In fact, I had a conversation just yesterday with Sean, my 10 year old son, about this very subject. He is often bored. He is one of those kids that was born brilliant. His mind is always going and he is above level in every subject, especially math and science. He may very well be one of those kids that starts and finishes college as a teenager if he continues on the track he is going. He is often bored in class, bored in life, and just plain bored. So yesterday, I addressed this mindset after offering several chores to him, and giving him several ideas of what to do such as practice basketball, play the drums, sign up for an online class in addition to the school he is doing, or pursue an interest.

Our conversation went something like this:

“Mom, I’m so bored.”

“That’s funny. I’m never bored. I can give you something to do.”

“Mo-o-om, I don’t want something to do like that…”

“Well, son, you can choose to be bored, or you can choose to take initiative with your life, and fill it with purpose.”

“How do I do that?”

“Ask the Lord what you are to be about, and then be about it 100%. If you want to get closer to God, spend time in prayer and the Word, and researching topics in Scripture. If you want to be a basketball player, practice like you are going to be the best. If you want to play drums, play like you are a rockstar. If you want to further your education, find ways to do it. Don’t just wait for mom to tell you what to do. If you want increase in your life you have to step out and walk in it. It’s your choice to fill your mind with nothing, or to renew it and fill it with purpose.”

So, really this isn’t about boredom. It’s about walking with purpose and taking initiative. Curing boredom takes a little more than just doing something. Boredom comes from a lack of purpose. Synonyms of boredom are apathy and lethargy. Find your purpose and you will find that there is no time for boredom!

“Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23 (AMP)

Purpose comes when we do things with and for the Lord and out of our relationship with Him, and not just to please men (or mom!) So today, ask yourself what it looks like to walk with purpose, and if you find yourself being bored, or filling your time with useless activity, choose to actively remove boredom from your life and let God renew your mind and fill you with purpose that goes beyond self-filled thoughts, and propels you into His destiny for you!

Picture courtesy of medicinehandswellness.com