The picture in my news magazine showed a Moscow circus bear that was shuffling across a tightrope in preparation for its next performance. More interesting was the woman sitting in the background, slumped over, with her head resting on one hand, as if she had seen this act before. She couldn’t have looked more bored.
She reminded me of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay “Nature,” in which he declares how excited we would be if stars came out once every thousand years. As that day approached, we would gather our friends together and stay up all night. But stars come out every night, so we close our drapes and go to bed.
She reminded me of Eli’s sons, who grew up in the presence of God. But familiarity often breeds contempt, and they “had no respect for the LORD or for their duties as priests” (1 Samuel 2:12-13). They slept with the women who served the tabernacle, and stole the meat that worshipers offered there (1 Samuel 2:12-17,22).
She reminded me of B.B. Warfield, who warned his seminary students that their “constant contact with divine things” might make them “seem common.” He noted that this danger was also a great privilege, stating, “Think of what your privilege is when your greatest danger is that the great things of religion may become common to you!” But, all the same, it’s still a danger.
She reminded me of us. Are you blessed with multiple Bible translations? Do you read inspirational books and blogs? Is worship music part of the soundtrack of your life? What a privilege! What a danger!
Let’s be like little Samuel, who never got used to the fact that he “grew up in the presence of the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:21). He heard God’s voice because he was already listening (1 Samuel 3:10).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 25:31-46
More:
Read Psalm 119:97-120 to learn how much God’s Word should thrill (not bore) us.
Next:
What spiritual blessing have you begun to take for granted? How would you treat that blessing today if you knew you might lose it tomorrow?
Tom Felten on September 10, 2014 at 9:46 am
Mike, I was recently talking with a group of young adults about the joy and expectation of meeting with Jesus. One verse I often pray prior to reading and meditating on God’s Word is Psalm 119:18, “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” I love the psalmists approach to spending time reading and considering the Scriptures!
poohpity on September 10, 2014 at 10:37 am
Been there sadly, done that. Isn’t it wonderful that when we pray for our fire to be rekindled the Lord seems to gladly answer. So funny cause I was reading through Ezekiel this morning saying that exact thing to the Lord as my eyes glazed over at the measurements of the Temple then I read this and the Lord brought to mind how interested He is in the most tiny details of everything.
jennifer benson schuldt on September 10, 2014 at 12:05 pm
Wonderful post, Mike. When I read it, a phrase came to mind: “His mercies are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23). God gives us so many spiritual blessings. Even when life is at its worst, we can still experience the goodness of God.
street on September 10, 2014 at 10:26 pm
i think Holiness is the cure for boredom.
Mike Wittmer on September 15, 2014 at 10:12 am
Good point, Street. When I remember who God is, that puts everything in perspective.
daisymarygoldr on October 19, 2014 at 1:04 pm
The sons of Eli were bored? The Bible does not say so. They were corrupt. The KJV renders it explicitly: “the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:12). Samuel also did not yet know the Lord (1 Samuel 3:7).
Both were raised in the same environment by Eli. The difference between them lies in this: Eli’s sons wouldn’t listen to their father (1 Samuel 2:25). When instructed by Eli, Samuel responded to the Lord: “Speak, your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10).
So how does this apply to Christians in the church today? Is it about us being bored or thrilled with God’s Word? No. The Bible tells us: “you are His holy priests… you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God” (1 Peter 2:5).
Let us not be like the sons of Eli. The Lord had already planned their death and they died before their time (1 Samuel 2:31). Similarly, those who do not obey God’s word will meet the fate that was planned for them” (1 Peter 2:7-8).
Let us be like Samuel and faithfully serve the Lord all the days of our lives— give our bodies to God because of all He has done for us. Let us be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable (Romans 12: 1).