Recently God provoked me with a thought.
But first, for context…When my kids are feeling the stretch of wanting to fill space with busyness because it’s uncomfortable to have down time…I tell them, “I am giving you the gift of boredom and you’ll thank me one day.” I allow these quieter times in their lives because it gives them time to think. Then suddenly they’re doing something creative…whether it’s drawing or playing pretend or building something…it’s amazing how quickly boredom leads to creation. I felt good about this plan, then one day when I was feeling bored, God said, “I am giving you the gift of boredom and you’ll thank Me one day.” What a novel idea. God was using my own words to my children to convict my heart.
Kids aren’t the only ones who need the opportunity to be bored. We all need a space to allow creativity to begin to flow again.
It was then I realized that most of us adults really miss out on this idea. I am not the only parent who believes boredom produces the fruit of creativity, but I have NEVER heard any adult celebrate that same thing for themselves. Until now.
Even though it is awkward and uncomfortable, I have been practicing the art of leaning into boredom. What does it stir me toward? Most often I do, in fact, feel more creative when I reach that point. Many times, I’ll end up at the piano worshiping. Other times, I grab a book. And sometimes I begin writing. But another thing I’ve been doing is sitting still and closing my eyes and letting my mind wander.
What thoughts do you find when you give yourself the time and space to think? I have both stumbled upon areas of needed healing within my heart and found the joy of creating.
Boredom can be a gift, especially in a world so chock full of distraction. I believe this distraction is one of the enemy’s favorite weapons of warfare. If that is true, then leaning into boredom is a great counter measure.
When is the last time that you just sat in the quiet and let yourself move past the initial peace of the quiet and into the discomfort of boredom…to find the sparks of creativity reignited?!
I heard someone say, “You can’t create when you are constantly consuming.” That statement was a sharp sword in my gut. It’s true. It’s hard for something to come out of you when you’re constantly stuffing yourself.
The bottom line is that we need space. Just like when we talked about quiet the other day, we can take it a step farther and really begin to move creatively. The world needs the creativity that God has stored within you. Why not lean in and release it?!
I think of David when I think of boredom. He was a shepherd, out alone all the time. There were no cell phones at the time. No iPad or tv. No video games. No, it was just him, the sheep, and God. From that place he found himself to be a man after God’s own heart. Now that’s worth it!
But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler of His people, because you have not kept the Lord’s commands. 1 Samuel 13:14
(Note: This was spoken while David was still just a shepherd. It was his heart that gave him access to the throne.)
“After removing Saul, He made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’” Acts 13:22
365 Days in the Presence 