From Boredom to Blessing

Some towns have fine-sounding names like Happy Valley, Pennsylvania and Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Who wouldn't want to live in a place called Paradise Island? What child wouldn't want to live in Santa Claus, Indiana?

Then there's Boring, Oregon. I'm sure Boring has many wonderful assets, but the name must create a public relations challenge for the Boring Chamber of Commerce. Think of all the disgruntled 12-year-olds who have to attend Boring Middle School. An Internet search of the city's Web site tells about Boring businesses and Boring real estate. There's even a Web link called "Boring People."

I was curious. Are there Boring churches, too? What would it be like to attend "Boring Christian Church"?

Abundant Life

It turns out that Boring, Oregon contains a variety of churches, but my favorite is called Abundant Life Christian Church. What a great name! After all, Jesus came to bring abundance, not a boring religion.

A vision statement published on the church's Web site lists some of the congregation's goals. They want to reach thousands of people with the good news of Jesus Christ and offer help to the hurting, hope to the discouraged, and a home to those seeking meaningful relationships. They want to reach people in their own community and around the world by planting daughter churches and by providing missionary support through personal and financial resources.

There's nothing boring about that! Sounds like our Boring brothers and sisters are setting the pace for the rest of us. They're pursuing a God-sized dream that will capture the imagination of present and future followers of Christ. Authentic discipleship is often difficult, but seldom boring. Imagine what can happen when Christians filled with the abundant life of Christ decide to fulfill Jesus' vision of a church powerful enough to bash down the gates of Hell!

Fire on the Earth

Jesus said, "I've come to start a fire on this earth—how I wish it were blazing right now!" (Luke 12:49, The Message).

When we become Christians, the Lord starts a fire in our hearts. First Thessalonians 5:19 says, "Do not put out the Spirit's fire." Imagine what would happen if every Christian would say:

You can't put the fire out. You can throw cold water on my emotions, But there will still be a flame burning deep in my soul. You can push my body to the limit, But the fire of his Word will still blaze in my bones. You can mock my faith and tell me the Bible isn't true, But you can't put the fire out.

I might bend, but I won't break. I might feel dejected, but I won't be defeated. I might be down, but I'm not out. I may feel weary, but I don't have to worry. I may be tired, but I'm not terrified— Because you can't put the fire out.

I have sinned, but Jesus loves me still. I have failed, but Jesus never will. When I'm broke, I'm not broken. When I'm sick, I'm not stuck. When my burdens weigh me down, my Lord lifts me up. When I'm weak, he keeps on giving. When I die, I'll keep on living— Because His Spirit burns within me, and you can't put the fire out.

My nation has been terrorized, My church has been criticized, And my values have been minimized, But my faith is still energized. His Spirit moves me from boredom to blessing, from darkness to light. And though my past is far from perfect, my future is bright— Because no matter what happens, You can't put the fire out!