Boredom vs. Enthusiasm

by John Parker

A recent USA TODAY article reports that employers are concerned over loss of

productivity due to workers being plagued by boredom on the job. This hardly seems to be a new phenomenon, but at least now more attention is being paid to the problem. Almost 45% of employers reported losing top people because of a failure to provide them with creative work. When employees lose an interest or passion for their jobs, they tend to leave, creating turnover problems One cause is "graying baby boomers" who have been on the same job for years; another is a growth in the service industry, where work can be repetitive.

But other reports put the responsibility on the worker. "You have to motivate yourself," says one man familiar with failing companies. "It's very simple to do things you know need to be done or to ask for more work that you can do."

Enthusiasm for working for the Lord comes from within. If I do not find working for the church stimulating, one remedy is self-motivation, rather than waiting for someone to motivate me. Paul wrote of way in which we can increase both our motivation and our service.

Romans 12:10-13

10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.