ENNUI
In the aftermath of especially peak life experiences, e.g. holidays, vacations, weddings, or even encounters with close personal friends, we sometimes find ourselves underwhelmed with a vague sense of ennui [pronounced ahn-WEE]. According to Dictionary.com, “ennui” is “a feeling of weariness and discontent resulting from satiety [sufficiency or enough] or a lack of interest.” Thus, ennui is synonymous with boredom.
Here is an unusual question to reflect upon: ‘Should Christians ever become bored?’
At first glance, the answer to this question seems obvious since believers in Christ are entirely human, not divine. Why shouldn’t we experience a wide range of human conditions and emotions: happiness, sorrow, anger, fear, fulfillment, fatigue, boredom, and etcetera?
However, there is another aspect to consider. Perhaps, those general feelings of discontent or boredom we sometimes have emerge from our inactivity in performing Kingdom assignments. Jesus declared, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4) Undoubtedly, all of us operate within limited time frames, in which we must fully embody our intended purpose and destiny. In a word, every calling has a shelf life. It may well be that you and I have been divinely designed to feel a sense of ennui [minimum fulfillment and maximum unrest] when we do not function within our “high calling” or when we fail to stretch ourselves toward God-given potential. (Philippians 3:14)
There is so much Kingdom work to do…much more than we can imagine.
It is a satanic deception to remain idle until someone ‘tells you’ what specific work you should be doing as a dedicated ambassador of Christ. Indeed, there are obvious clues we can glean from the way our King will eventually judge us. Read the following scripture passage and carefully consider:
Matthew 25:34-40
34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
So what are you waiting for? There are hundreds of seniors in convalescent homes who would delight in having one or two visits from little-old-you! Opportunities for Kingdom service abound: in prisons, juvenile detention centers, hospitals, hospices, community centers, social service agencies, our streets, our churches, etc.
The answer to the question posed earlier is an emphatic “NO.” Even though we are human and subject to human emotions, Christians should not feel ennui…at least not for very long. We can never afford to become self-absorbed because we have far too much service to execute for our King. Every believer is divinely commissioned to be a proactive and empowered witness. (Acts 1:8) Christ will return soon, so get busy. (II Corinthians 4:3)
In the aftermath of especially peak life experiences, e.g. holidays, vacations, weddings, or even encounters with close personal friends, we sometimes find ourselves underwhelmed with a vague sense of ennui [pronounced ahn-WEE]. According to Dictionary.com, “ennui” is “a feeling of weariness and discontent resulting from satiety [sufficiency or enough] or a lack of interest.” Thus, ennui is synonymous with boredom.
Here is an unusual question to reflect upon: ‘Should Christians ever become bored?’
At first glance, the answer to this question seems obvious since believers in Christ are entirely human, not divine. Why shouldn’t we experience a wide range of human conditions and emotions: happiness, sorrow, anger, fear, fulfillment, fatigue, boredom, and etcetera?
However, there is another aspect to consider. Perhaps, those general feelings of discontent or boredom we sometimes have emerge from our inactivity in performing Kingdom assignments. Jesus declared, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4) Undoubtedly, all of us operate within limited time frames, in which we must fully embody our intended purpose and destiny. In a word, every calling has a shelf life. It may well be that you and I have been divinely designed to feel a sense of ennui [minimum fulfillment and maximum unrest] when we do not function within our “high calling” or when we fail to stretch ourselves toward God-given potential. (Philippians 3:14)
There is so much Kingdom work to do…much more than we can imagine.
It is a satanic deception to remain idle until someone ‘tells you’ what specific work you should be doing as a dedicated ambassador of Christ. Indeed, there are obvious clues we can glean from the way our King will eventually judge us. Read the following scripture passage and carefully consider:
Matthew 25:34-40
34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
So what are you waiting for? There are hundreds of seniors in convalescent homes who would delight in having one or two visits from little-old-you! Opportunities for Kingdom service abound: in prisons, juvenile detention centers, hospitals, hospices, community centers, social service agencies, our streets, our churches, etc.
The answer to the question posed earlier is an emphatic “NO.” Even though we are human and subject to human emotions, Christians should not feel ennui…at least not for very long. We can never afford to become self-absorbed because we have far too much service to execute for our King. Every believer is divinely commissioned to be a proactive and empowered witness. (Acts 1:8) Christ will return soon, so get busy. (II Corinthians 4:3)
Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all
else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
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