Time to Reflect

by Terry Wane Benton

If you are bored, you are not studying and thinking about the rich treasures available to be enjoyed in Christ. When Paul and Silas were in prison, do you think they had time to be bored? Reflect on what gives you purpose and drive. Do you have a proper hunger and thirst for righteousness? (Matthew 5:6). If not, your boredom is part of not being blessed by such a driving hunger. Are you studying to show yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed (II Timothy 2:15)? Or do you need to be ashamed because you are bored and don't know what to do to fill your heart with good things?

When Paul was in prison in Philippi, he sang spiritual songs because he had something in his heart that kept him from being bored. When Paul was under house arrest in Rome, he was praying for the brethren and writing powerful, encouraging letters to the brethren. The palace guards were impressed with his teaching, which gave him such joy. He wrote a letter to the Philippian brethren to remind them to "rejoice in the Lord always" and "think on these things." Bored? Then you don't have a proper heart diet of knowing the Lord. The things that Paul had formerly thought were important were now "rubbish" compared to "the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:8-12).

If you are bored, you need to get a taste of what Paul had. Once you taste it, you will fill your heart and find great satisfaction in the excellence of that knowledge in Christ. Take time to reflect on these things. It will do you good for a long time.