ENNUI EVERYWHERE

From My Perspective - - -

One of the gnawing issues for children reared in the rapidly expanding technological age is that of boredom. The love of reading and learning has steadily evaporated during the past couple of generations. Entertainment, sports activity, involvement in societal events are among those things that entice, compel and drive us in the 21st century. Everything from Game Boys to Cell Phones,  I-Phones, I-Pads, etc., allure and dominate within this culture. One can do a scan of social networks such as Facebook to see the type of focus exists among a cross-section of people of all age groups and backgrounds. One can enter most public places and observe people talking on Cell Phones or text messaging with friends. It is a phenomenon that is rapidly reaching epidemic proportions. There is a subtlety to all of this in that it can quickly develop into ennui – “a feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety or lack of interest; boredom.”

There was an interesting observation shared by Maureen Dowd, a NY Times Op-Ed contributor on October 23, 2012. She was reviewing and opining about the Presidential Debates. Regarding the first debate, she opined: “And why is the race so perilously close, given the dizzying fall of W. (President Bush) and the dizzying rise of Obama, a mere four years ago? It is partly because of Obama’s endless odyssey of self-discovery, where he rattles around in his own head, trying to figure out who he is and why he’s stuck on a Denver debate stage, forced to justify himself in this clownish format against this shape-shifting chucklehead. At the first debate, the president gave off such a feeling of ennui, he could have used a fainting couch. It suddenly made many voters who thought it only fair that Obama get another term, given the mountain of trouble W. had left behind, wonder if that second chance would be embraced with energy, imagination and zest.” Is it possible that the one who is construed to be the “leader of the free world” could evolve into a state of ennui? Could it be that one can become overcome with weariness and discontent with the job sought and gained? Could there actually be a lack of interest existing even though there is a pursuit for four more years to hold an office? Could it be that boredom is more of a reality than not? Could satiety (being satisfied with that which has already been done and no focus on what else one can do if entrusted with the office once again) be the reality deep within ones cognitive self?

Where are we in our culture in terms of Motivation and Focus? 
Proverbs 17:12 states, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Question: Do you have a “joyful heart” or a sense of aloneness and isolation, namely, “a crushed spirit”? 
Proverbs 14:23 indicates, “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” Question: Are you a person with a solid work ethic and a purpose to be involved in some form of “toil”, or are you one given to complaint and excuses and given to “mere talk”? 
I John 2:16-17 instructs, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” Question: Are you one who is committed to Biblical principles of conduct for your life rather than a matter-of-fact approach to life and its challenges? 
The Lord gave this guideline for His servant in Joshua 1:8, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” 
Be careful to do what God has declared and established and you will have good success.  Consider these things with me!