The Boredom Cure

Bible Reading: Matthew 25:34-40

“It is so hot!” Paige muttered to herself as she sat on the porch swing. “And there’s nothing to do.” She closed her eyes and let the swing rock slowly back and forth. Just then, she heard tires whirring and opened her eyes to see her neighbor riding by on his bicycle at top speed. “Hey, Aaron,” she called to her friend’s back. “What’s going on? Is there something happening?”

Aaron slammed on his brakes and turned around. “Nothing’s happening. I’ve just got a lot to do today.”

“I sure don’t,” Paige grumbled. “I’m so bored! There isn’t anything to do around here.”

“Nothing to do?” said Aaron. “Well, you can help me! I’m on my way to mow Mr. Norton’s lawn and trim the bushes. Want to come along and help?”

“Sure.” Paige stood up. “How much will we get paid?”

“Nothing.” Aaron grinned. “I’m doing it for fun.”

“For fun?” Paige slapped her forehead. “You’re mowing someone’s lawn for fun? Does Mr. Norton have a riding mower or something?”

Aaron shook his head. “No. I’m doing it because I want to help him since he had surgery recently and can’t do it himself. Besides, in church we learned that Jesus said we’re really serving Him when we do something for someone else. He uses our actions to help others see who He is—the King who became a servant and died on the cross to save us.” Aaron grinned. “I decided to spend some time this summer working for Jesus.”

Paige raised her eyebrows. But since she didn’t have anything else to do, she asked her mom if she could go with Aaron. Paige also went with Aaron the next day—and the next too. Paige could hardly believe she actually enjoyed the time they spent working for Jesus.

“This really is more fun than sitting around doing nothing,” she told Aaron as they cleaned her garage. “I can’t wait to see Dad’s face when he gets home and sees how nice and clean it is in here now.” She grinned. “I was afraid there’d be nothing to do this summer, but you reminded me that we can always find some way to serve others and show them God’s love.”

Aaron nodded. “It’s hard to be bored when you’re serving Jesus!”

-Barbara J. Westberg

How About You?

Does “I’m bored” sound like your theme song? Could that be because you’re too focused on yourself instead of others? Ask Jesus to show you how you can serve Him by helping others. He says that when you do something to help someone else, you’re doing it for Him too. Beat boredom by finding ways to serve Jesus by helping others.

Today’s Key Verse:
Matthew 25:40 The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Serve Jesus by helping others