by Randal Matheny

Alan Caruba of boringinstitute.com says there are three basic ways to avoid boredom:

-- Always read, always have something ready to read, because reading stimulates the brain.

-- Have a hobby, or several hobbies because that's where passion comes from and that leads to happiness.

-- Be a joiner, get out and get involved with people in your community.

With these three tips, says Caruba, people can be happy and find the essence of life.

Seems to me Caruba unknowingly validates the Christian faith.

-- The Bible is the best reading material of all, and offers history, poetry, wisdom, narrative, drama, and correspondence. Not to mention the pathway to eternal life.

-- Christians have more than a hobby. They have the purpose of Christ's mission to share the Father's love with every single person.

-- Nobody is more involved in other people's lives than the follower of Christ.

Here's just one passage of Scripture where these three are all rolled into one.

"Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, [here's your reading material] to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift [better than a hobby] within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you [you are looking out for their best good and intensely involved with them]" (1 Timothy 4:13-16 NASV).

You can beat boredom. Become a follower of Jesus Christ. And the present time will mean something eternal.