Hitting a plateau?

Plateau (according to Webster's): a relatively stable level, period or condition. Also a level of attainment or achievement.

In some fitness circles, plateau also has another meaning.

Take bodybuilding for example.

You may be doing well, work outs seem to be going great and you seem to make gains of all manner on a regular basis. The amount of weight you can move goes up, as does the ease with which it moves for you. You notice physical changes in your body as you grow consistently. Then it happens. You hit a plateau.

When you reach that level, the noticeable gains in all areas seem to fade away. You continue to strive and work hard, but to no avail. So what do you do? Does this mean you have gone as far as you possibly can? No, it does not. What it means, is that your body has become use to the variety and intensity of work that you frequently stress it with. So, if you want to move forward - go beyond where you are now - you need to make some changes. Typically, that will involve doing different exercises, doing more or fewer repetitions, altering weights used, adding or subtracting days you work out, or one of many other factors. But the big key, is that you MUST change to grow. Staying in that same, comfy place will not produce dramatic gains any longer. You may be able to come back to this place and routine eventually, but for the moment, you must leave it.

Personally speaking, I have had times in my life in which God seemed to speak to me on a very regular basis. Times in which the changes within myself have been not only many, but noticeable even to me. And I have to tell you, those times were (and are) amazing. Just the intense feeling of closeness with my God each and every moment of each and every day. Amazing seems like far to small a word to describe it, but it is definitely a good start.

But not every day is like that. While there may be times that are that way, there are also other times which seem slower, or even feel almost distant. Feeling like you are "praying through mud". I know I am not the only one to feel that way or have gone through it.

Now sometimes I have found that He merely wants me to live out what I have learned recently with Him - almost like on the job training. Other times, it has been some circumstance in life that has distracted me from my life with Him - it is a good thing He does not change nor does He get distracted, so He is always there when my sanity returns and I turn my eyes back to Him again.

But there are other times. Times in which I have hit a plateau. I have been going through motions and time spent with Him and have been answering whatever call on a fairly regular basis, only have everything seemingly grind to a halt. I'll be honest here. My first response is not that this is about something I have to change or do differently. I frequently look outward first. And a good chunk of the time, eventually, I have to come back around to look in the mirror.

I too, am a creature of habit and I get comfy in where I am and the way things are going. I get set in a routine, that while it does work in the beginning, ceases to show results as my comfort level rises. The intentional time I spend with God becomes little more than routine. "Ok, Lord, going to spend my time with you today so get ready to give me some good stuff now". Sound a bit limiting, does it not. So what to do?

Well, taking a hint from the fitness group, perhaps it is time for a change.

(Now I have known people who were against "change" because they felt they were someplace or involved with something that they felt God had led them into. The problem is, while God does not change, His plan and creation are constantly in motion, therefore, while He may have set something up yesterday, He may require it to be gone today. Assuming that God wants everything to stay the same and stable in your comfy place, is not exactly in keeping with who He is and how He works. So if you find yourself against change, double check your motives vs His will.)

It may be that a change is needed with regards to time spent or bible study. It may be something a bit more that is needed. Perhaps some issue that you know you have to face but have been putting off needs taken care of. Maybe He is calling you to make a major life change - a serious shift in direction. Regardless of how great or small it may be though, change is needed. Since God Himself does not change, guess who that leaves? (Hint - peek into the mirror).