Acts 18:1-23

Children say, “Mommy, I’m bored.  There is nothing to do.  ” Childish Christians say, “God I am bored.  Nothing is happening. ” Yes, life can be boring at times.  We pray with great expectations, we wait expecting to see miracles and fantastic growth, but nothing outwardly appears to be happening.  Even if we do not want to admit that we are bored, we can admit, that church life is not always exciting.  Week after week, we do the same things that we have done for many weeks before.  We try to create excitement; some want a revival, some want new leadership, and some will decide it is time to move on.  They look for that church that is happening; they want something new and entertaining.

Perhaps you are wondering where all this talk about boredom comes from.  As I read 18:1-22, I found myself thinking about boredom.  Paul stayed at Corinth for a year and a half.  That was longer than he had been able to stay at most places.  In that length of time, nobody was able to beat him or place him in prison.  He discontinued evangelizing the Jews and focused his ministry on the gentiles.  At first, many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and they were baptized.  After the original success, it appears things stabilized and began to follow a routine.  By day, Paul worked as a tent maker, and at night, he taught new believers from the word of God.

After his stay at Corinth, Paul once again did some traveling.  Luke tells us Paul went “from place to place,” and he got a haircut.  If a haircut was the most exciting thing that happened, it may have been a boring trip.

Even for Paul, not every day was an adrenaline filled thrill ride.  Righteousness is about relationship, not excitement.  In relationship with Jesus, we do God’s work.  God’s work makes good things happen.  Paul was faithful, and he strengthened the disciples.  When we are working, boredom is not an option.