Banishing boredom

Boredom is an enemy of productivity. It results in daydreaming, slipshod work, dissatisfaction with associates. To the one who's bored nothing worth-while is happening. But that's not true! Something ism happening that can quicken lives and replace boredom with satisfying activity. This "something" is the coming of the Christ.

Mary Baker Eddy n1 defines "Christ" as "The divine manifestation of God, which comes to the flesh to destroy incarnate error." n2 The significance of the Christ's activity is seen in these lines from a hymn: "The Christ is here, all dreams of error breaking, Unloosing bonds of all captivity." n3

n1 Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

n2 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,m p. 583.

n3 Christian Science Hymnal,m No. 202.

Boredom is one of the "dreams of error." Mankind progresses as such dreams are broken. And the Christ supplies the invigorating thoughts that enable mankind to break -- to banish -- these dreams.

The root cause of boredom is the generally held belief that man is material. The logical deduction from this premise is that any remedy for boredom must be matter-based. Therefore alcohol, drugs, sexual permissiveness, are considered legitimate sources of relief.

But man is spiritual, not material. The effective and final remedy for boredom is an awaking to this fact. Actually, boredom is fundamentally impossible because man reflects God; harmony and fulfillment are innately his because God is the source and perpetuator of all good.

One good way to counter boredom is through what we might call spiritual curiosity -- a drawing desire to know about God. As this desire is cultivated, the way is prepared for the Christ to come "to the flesh to destroy incarnate error." Moses had fled to Midian, a land of nomads, after living in Pharaoh's quarters in Egypt. His new situation could very well have been a tiresome one to someone brought up in a king's court.Yet, he was curious enough to investigate the phenomenon of a burning bush, an action that ultimately led to his becoming the leader of the Hebrew people and their deliverer from tyranny -- achievements that could be considered anything but boring and unfulfilling!

Couldn't the appearing of the burning bush be seen as an example of the Christ coming to humanity and attracting it toward God? Mrs. Eddy writes," Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and the prophets caught glorious glimpses of the Messiah, or Christ, which baptized these seers in the divine nature, the essence of Love." n4

n4 Science and Health,m p. 333.

There's no end to the unfoldment of the Christ in our lives if we are receptive. We find this unfoldment goes on forever as we are open to it, welcome it, expect it, nurture it, dwell on it, strive to express it.

We discover the Christ and make it our constant friend through prayer that acknowledges the ever-presence and everallness of God. As we consistently strive to get rid of any thought that would hinder the flow of worthwhile ideas imparted by the Christ, we become aware that man naturally expresses this divine Truth, that the Christ always has been and always will be basic to man's being.

We're not trying to capture something that is illusive or lacking; we're simply recognizing a fact: The Christ is -- must be -- always present. Living a Christly life banishes boredom, replacing it with deep satisfaction. DAILY BIBLE VERSE Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. . . . Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. II Timothy 2:15, 22