Overcoming boredom and inertia in lockdown
A time will come when we’ll read this post and we might have to explain what ‘lock down’ means to our children, we may have to jog our memory of that time when the world shut down in response to the deadly coronavirus.
Perhaps way into the future when we read this there might be a vaccine for the disease, and life has resumed to a semblance of normalcy... Perhaps. But until then, still in the throes of a global pandemic when everyday conversation is punctuated by the latest death toll, or speculation on when social distancing measures will be eased - we must stay focused, encouraged and united.
Recognising boredom and inertia
After fear, worry, panic, anxiety and disappointment have shown themselves, six-weeks into the lock down, many of us are familiar with boredom. The sort that sets in even when you do have things to do but just can’t seem to find the strenght, inclination and motivation to do it, so much so, some of us are in danger of entering a state of inertia - a tendency to do nothing and to remain unchanged.
To be bored is to be overly aware of time and eager to fill that time with an engaging or exciting activity or event. From social media to binge-watching, computer games to gluttony, there’s no shortage of vices to lure us into a time-wasting snare. Being purposefully occupied and busy for the sake of it are two different things.
The intimate response to boredom and inertia
When Jesus walked the earth and led a group of men and women. Historical accounts of the Rabbi/student relationship tells us that time was a crucial commodity invested in intimacy...
Intimacy takes time to cultivate. It comes in those mundane moments of life, from the first encounter of the day even before the body catches up with the brain, to the morning ablution; from the first meal, to the silly conversations, the casual strolls, to the focused discussions... Initimacy can’t be rushed. And even in the three or so years his disciples spent with Him away from their families, in uncertainty, amidst doubt and confusion, political and economic turmoil, these men and women invested every waking moment knowing Christ.
The key to revelation on the path of transformation.
“Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!”
Luke 24:27-31 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/luk.24.27-31.nlt
It’s no wonder that it was when they shared an intimate moment of breaking bread with Jesus that the eyes of the disciples opened and they recognised Him even after hours of hearing him teach. Initimacy unlocks revelation and makes way for transformation.
Giving account
One way we can break the hold of boredom and inertia setting in and robbing us of any spiritual growth, is to invest our time in intimate moments with the Father. Let’s transform the mundane teeth-brushing, meal-prepping, tea-making moments of life into moments of reflection, prayer and worship. Let’s avail ourselves of resources and relationships that deepen our understanding of the Father.
We will all have to give account to the Lord of how we’ve lived. One thing is sure, the lockdown gives good reason for boredom, but nothing will justify inertia. We have the choice to decline the tempation for both by tapping into the wisdom, power and presence of the Holy Spirit to be guided by Him in how we invest our time in a way driven by eternity.
Father, help us, so that though the flesh may be unwilling, that Your Spirit would take precedence and premince, leading us to a place where we apply divine wisdom faithfully. Amen.
Perhaps way into the future when we read this there might be a vaccine for the disease, and life has resumed to a semblance of normalcy... Perhaps. But until then, still in the throes of a global pandemic when everyday conversation is punctuated by the latest death toll, or speculation on when social distancing measures will be eased - we must stay focused, encouraged and united.
Recognising boredom and inertia
After fear, worry, panic, anxiety and disappointment have shown themselves, six-weeks into the lock down, many of us are familiar with boredom. The sort that sets in even when you do have things to do but just can’t seem to find the strenght, inclination and motivation to do it, so much so, some of us are in danger of entering a state of inertia - a tendency to do nothing and to remain unchanged.
To be bored is to be overly aware of time and eager to fill that time with an engaging or exciting activity or event. From social media to binge-watching, computer games to gluttony, there’s no shortage of vices to lure us into a time-wasting snare. Being purposefully occupied and busy for the sake of it are two different things.
The intimate response to boredom and inertia
When Jesus walked the earth and led a group of men and women. Historical accounts of the Rabbi/student relationship tells us that time was a crucial commodity invested in intimacy...
Intimacy takes time to cultivate. It comes in those mundane moments of life, from the first encounter of the day even before the body catches up with the brain, to the morning ablution; from the first meal, to the silly conversations, the casual strolls, to the focused discussions... Initimacy can’t be rushed. And even in the three or so years his disciples spent with Him away from their families, in uncertainty, amidst doubt and confusion, political and economic turmoil, these men and women invested every waking moment knowing Christ.
The key to revelation on the path of transformation.
“Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!”
Luke 24:27-31 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/luk.24.27-31.nlt
It’s no wonder that it was when they shared an intimate moment of breaking bread with Jesus that the eyes of the disciples opened and they recognised Him even after hours of hearing him teach. Initimacy unlocks revelation and makes way for transformation.
Giving account
One way we can break the hold of boredom and inertia setting in and robbing us of any spiritual growth, is to invest our time in intimate moments with the Father. Let’s transform the mundane teeth-brushing, meal-prepping, tea-making moments of life into moments of reflection, prayer and worship. Let’s avail ourselves of resources and relationships that deepen our understanding of the Father.
We will all have to give account to the Lord of how we’ve lived. One thing is sure, the lockdown gives good reason for boredom, but nothing will justify inertia. We have the choice to decline the tempation for both by tapping into the wisdom, power and presence of the Holy Spirit to be guided by Him in how we invest our time in a way driven by eternity.
Father, help us, so that though the flesh may be unwilling, that Your Spirit would take precedence and premince, leading us to a place where we apply divine wisdom faithfully. Amen.
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