Bored Christians
It’s an oxymoron, isn’t it? How can there really be bored Christians? Are we supposed to have a relationship with our Creator? Aren’t the needs of the hurting supposed to be cared for by Christians? Don’t we worship an awesome God? Then why are there so many bored Christians?
I look at many of the teenagers to whom I have ministered over the last 20 years and most of them are bored. I’ve been bored myself in the 30+ years I’ve been a Christian. The times I haven’t been bored have been times when I have been swimming in some sort of crisis or when I am doing something bigger than myself. When I went through a divorce in 2005, I wasn’t bored. I was constantly talking to God. He and I were best friends. Sure, I questioned Him more than once, but my walk with God was close. I was surrounded by Christian friends who wrapped their arms of love around me and walked with me through those dark months. When I am at large worship conferences or retreats, I am not bored. The mountaintop experiences always kick boredom right out.
But we avoid crisis at all costs. We don’t want to go through difficult or challenging times, even though we know deep down inside (and from Scripture) that those are the times when God’s presence is most evident and we’ll experience tremendous growth. Although we love mountaintop experiences, we know we must come down from the mountain sooner or later. As a young youth minister, I used to think that if I could just fill the calendar with enough mountaintop experiences, the teens would not be bored.
It’s only when we realize that God is present on the plateaus of our lives, not just on the mountains or in the valleys, that our lives will have boredom-less significance. When you’re on the mountain, enjoy it. Celebrate it. Share it. When you’re in the valley, embrace it. Thank God for it. Look for how He is working in your life through it. Welcome the embrace of others. When you’re on the plateau (which is where most of us spend most of our time), look for God…even in the little, seemingly insignificant things. Watch for people or opportunities He will place right in front of you. Those may just be the people or opportunities that will deliver you from boredom.
I think a “Western” problem with our approach to Christianity (and I blame it largely on “pentecostalism”) is that we depend upon and focus on experiencing the mountaintops. How many times have we attended conferences and come back “fired up” thinking nothing can knock us down? It seems a common thought (although not expressed) is ‘If I don’t experience a “high”, something must be something wrong with me spiritually.”
I doubt Jesus ever told Peter, “Follow me, and I’ll give you a high like you’ve never dreamed of having.” Or to Saul/Paul, “Why are you ruining the party my followers should be experiencing?” Instead, Jesus calling followers was more of an intellectual appeal based on truth and reason. But when we follow because we think we should “feel” something, it’s easy to get bored. When we follow because we know the truth, it’s easier to be consistent.
Great post!
I believe the reason why there are so many bored christians because they don’t have a close walk with God. I also have found that the ones that say they are bored are usually the ones that don’t worship during a church and the ones that are not involved. Then of course there are the ones that are bored because thet come to church to be entertained.
Been missing your posts!