Bored and Rest-less?

I’ve had a longstanding beef with the concept of boredom. I see it as a character deficiency at best and the sin of discontent at worst.

Today in chapel we were pointed to Matthew 11: 28-30. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and burden is light.” This brought to mind the quote of Augustine’s approximated here: “Our souls are restless till they rest in Thee.”

We are marked by our restlessness (literally “without rest”). We constantly look for something to “rest” in whether it be resolute inactivity or our industrious accomplishments or any variety of pleasurable stimuli – the sorts of things that the Teacher of Ecclesiastes pursued. If we aren’t satisfied with whatever it is, we claim boredom and look elsewhere for rest.

Isaiah 55:1-2 parallels Jesus call in Matthew 11. “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.”

If I am resting in Christ – completely satisfied with my portion in God – then there is no place in my life for restlessness, discontent, or boredom! Or put another way: if I am restless, discontent, or bored, Jesus calls me to come and rest and be satisfied abundantly in Him.