Change your world

July 4, 2006

By Gary Rogers

During my years as a youth pastor and as a parent of two teenage girls I never like to hear the phrase “I’m bored!” My response to this statement has always been, “If you’re bored, it’s because you are boring!”

The first statement is an attempt to blame someone else for the seemingly negative, do-nothing atmosphere of the moment. The second statement places the responsibility where it should be, with the one making the accusation.

We influence the atmosphere that is around us. Excitement, enthusiasm, energy, anticipation, and action can all come to life when we get up off our boredom and change the dull, lazy, dead atmosphere around us into something of value.

Consider the one man who is the answer to the following questions. Who created the first fire department at age 30? Who is known as the father of the U.S. postal service, and started it at age 31? Who at age 36 designed a heating stove that is still in use today? Who invented the lightning rod at age 43? Who signed the Declaration of Independence 230 years ago today at age 70? Who invented bifocals at age 79?

His name was Benjamin Franklin. Mr. Franklin accomplished all of this with only two years of formal education. He is a wonderful example of using time wisely.

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. … And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:17,23, NKJV).

God has a plan for each of us. It is up to us to evaluate our gifts, abilities, and resources and discover what God wants to accomplish through us. We each have great potential for accomplishing great things for God, if we will change the atmosphere of boredom into one that is thriving with anticipation of fulfilling God’s perfect plan.

Gary Rogers is senior pastor of First Assembly of God in Coweta, Okla.