A week ago I did a phone conference with our church's youth. I asked how they were doing. The restrictions brought about by the pandemic have left them mostly sequestered in their homes.
They had many activities of school that filled their time. Now, no more school, for the rest of this school year. This has left a void. Some of them told me, "I don't know how to fill my time." And, "I'm bored." "I have nothing to do."
I have great sympathy for them! What can they do? What is the root cause of boredom?
The answer is found in the word's definition (as I define it).
"Boredom" is not having little or nothing to do. "Boredom" is: finding no meaning in what you are doing. You could have a lot to do and still be bored. You could do one thing and find great meaning in it.
The meaning of "meaning" is: fitness within a coherent context. For followers of Jesus, the coherent context is called the Kingdom of God, This is the great reality within which our lives make sense. We are like puzzle pieces that only find their meaning within the great portrait of God's Kingdom.
The antidote to boredom is the acquisition of meaning.
How do we do this?
First of all, we live a life connected with the Lord. Second, in this connection He directs our paths. We follow. We obey. Third, this brings meaningful, lasting activity, and a great sense of fulfillment.
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My three books are:
My three books are:
Encounters with the Holy Spirit (Co-edited with Janice Trigg)
I've begun working on three new books:
Transformation: How God Changes the Human Heart
Technology and Spiritual Formation
Relationships (co-writing with Linda)