Is being a Christian supposed to be boring? Should Christians have boring lives?

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TL;DR:

The Christian life isn’t boring—it’s a vibrant, purpose-filled journey with God that brings deep joy now and eternal delight forever. When we live in truth and pursue what God created us to do, we discover a fullness of life that far outweighs anything this world calls “fun.”

from the old testament

  • Believers are promised unending pleasures and the "fullness of joy" for eternity (Psalm 16:11). As believers, we can experience part of this now and into eternity.

from the new testament

  • When lived correctly, the Christian life is far from boring. Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10 NIV). When a Christian is living in truth and seeking the Kingdom of God and the salvation of souls, boring is the very last thing his or her life will be.
  • Looking forward to the next life and all the joys and amazing experiences it promises, is a powerful tonic for believers on spiritual "rainy days" (Hebrews 11:1; Colossians 1:27).
  • Paul wrote to believers in Philippi, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). Writing from prison and through the Holy Spirit, Paul knew that the hope and fulfillment of being a believer is something that transcends all life circumstances. A life of such fulfillment will not be boring.
  • Peter expresses the foundation of believers’ exhilarating lives, which is Christ: “Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8).

implications for today

The word "boring" is relative—what some find boring, others thrive on. Some people are bored by comic books while others love them. Some people find religion boring, and others find it exhilarating. The Christian life isn’t about routine, entertainment, or religion; it’s simply who we are. Asking if the Christian life is boring is like asking if breathing is boring. Life can be dull for anyone, Christian or not. What some people mean when they ask this question is "in order to be a good Christian, do I have to give up everything fun and meaningful and exciting?" Not at all. Following Christ does not mean giving up fun or excitement. It’s finding the fullness of life in Him. Life is full of desires, challenges, and joys, and for a believer, the key difference is the purpose we have in Christ, the joy that comes from following Him, the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives, and the promise of joy and hope both now and for eternity.

The Christian life is neither dull and dreary nor free from problems. We all experience trials, occasional boredom, and death. But the Christian has comfort for the trials of life and hope for the afterlife.

Christians who feel bored may not fully grasp their purpose, which is to reflect God’s magnificence in all we do. We live in a world of people who cannot see, and who even hate, a God who is magnificent and exciting and wonderful. It is our job to speak and represent His beauty and truth using our individual gifts. This means a) living for the spiritual and eternal world instead of this futile, fading world and b) doing every day the very thing we are most inclined to do. Whatever we love to do, whether it is writing or speaking or building or playing an instrument or running a business, we can do that with God's glory in mind (1 Corinthians 10:31). This is wonderfully meaningful. Boredom often arises when we forget our purpose or feel restricted in what God has created us to do. The Christian is a daily adventure of walking with the living God, reflecting His glory, and making His love known in a world that desperately needs Him.

understand

  • The Christian life is not boring; it centers on a relationship with the living God.
  • Boredom often comes when believers lose sight of their God-given purpose.
  • The Christian life is full of joy and purpose.

reflect

  • When have you felt most alive and purposeful in your walk with God, and what made that moment so meaningful?
  • Are there any areas of your life where you’ve started to feel spiritually bored—and could that be a sign that you’ve drifted from your God-given purpose?
  • How can you use your passions or talents today in a way that reflects God’s glory and brings deeper joy?

engage

  • Why do you think the idea that Christianity is boring is so common—and how would you respond to someone who says that?
  • What are some ways we can encourage each other to live more fully in our purpose and keep our faith vibrant?
  • How does the promise of eternal joy impact the way we handle moments of boredom or discouragement in this life?