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Our friend Fran is finding it a little difficult to go to work because she’s feeling very bored and unchallenged. Did you ever have that problem? I sure have. Jesus has made Fran aware that boredom can lead to some sloppy work habits.
The day finally ends and Fran heads home. After dinner the phone rings and it’s her friend Laura, who is a teacher. They chat for a minute and Fran says to her, “Laura, you’ve been teaching for eight or nine years, right? Do you ever just get tired of teaching–you know, just plain bored?”
“Yeah, sure,” Laura says. “Lots of days.”
“You do? But why do you stay in teaching if you’re bored with it?” Fran asks.
“Oh, Fran, I’ve learned to distinguish between boring days and periods and being bored with my job. You see, I really believe God has called me to teach and I believe I can have a godly impact in the lives of my students. But that doesn’t mean I don’t feel bored sometimes,” Laura explains.
“Well,” Fran replies, “how can you do a good job teaching when you feel bored?”
“The key word there, Fran, is ‘feel.’ I feel bored but I can’t let my feelings control my actions. As long as I take the paycheck that comes with the job, I owe these students the best teacher I can be,” Laura answers.
Fran feels convicted as she listens to Laura. “You’re right, Laura, I know, but lately I’ve just been so bored with my job that I simply haven’t worked very hard. I know I’m not doing my best work–and Jesus knows it, too.”
“That’s a lousy feeling, isn’t it?” Laura agrees. “I know; I’ve been there.”
“Well, how do you make yourself do a good job even when you’re bored?” Fran asks, sincerely wanting some help with her problem.
“Fran, this is going to sound crazy, but I just talk to myself and say, ‘Now, Laura, today you are not a teacher, you are an actress. And you must play the most convincing role ever–you must act like a great teacher today.’ I go into a mental gear-shift and I see myself as an actress on a stage who must play the role of a teacher. Does that make any sense to you, Fran?” Laura asks.
“Yeah, kinda,” Fran muses. “A mental gear-shift, huh?”
“Well, it’s just my way of getting myself out of that boredom rut,” Laura says. “Then I discover that the boredom usually goes away pretty fast once I begin my acting role.” Laura laughs.
As Fran crawls into bed that night, she prays, “Lord, will you please give me a mental gear-shift like Laura has, so I don’t succumb to boredom. Thanks, Lord,” and with that she goes to sleep.
