Plateaus

 "As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us."~ Colossians 1:10-12, The Message

Kind of in a funk these days. Most people I know from our region teeter on that edge after a very long and hard winter. We have hopes of rejuvenation with Spring. The problem is Spring hasn't turned out to be very "springy". Days have been cold, often wet and blustery. Our long wait is being extended much to our collective distress. In a sense the weather poses as somewhat of a plateau---we trod along knowing at some point this trek will end with our reward of sunshine and warmth. Eventually we'll approach the next mountain but until then we just want the wanting to be satisfied.

I find I hit these plateaus in other areas of my life as well. Recently I passed over a plateau in my weight loss journey. I was making good strides in my ascent to the top of the Mountain of My Goals, following my program and reaping the benefits of those changes. It's easy for me to be faithful when the payoff is consistent to my expectations. Then the scale started to slow down. Same dedication on my part to stay on my program but I wasn't seeing the same level of success. I kept plodding along. I'd tell myself I have only two paths--to continue forward or go back to my old ways which were not beneficial. I set my mind on mustering up as much determination as I can to stick to the new course. After a couple of slow months the weight loss seemed to halt all together. Then, I think, "This is too much! I can wait out a slow down but not a complete shut down!". I continued to be faithful to my program but it just wasn't delivering the results I desired. I arrived at the Dreaded Plateau. Again, I tried to set my mind to push through knowing (hoping) it was just a matter of time to let my body adjust. I discovered something about plateaus. They require patience. And perseverance. Both of these were becoming in short supply as the weeks went by. I can't say that I was deep in The Valley; I've been in The Valley before and it's a different place. For me The Valley is a deep place. A solitary place that borders on desperation and hopelessness. The climb out of The Valley is a path worn down by Surrender, Trust and Faith. It is not a place I like to be although even there it is rich and fertile in opportunities for growth. The Plateau is not a deep, dark place for me but a long stretch without a clear end in sight. It, too, offers opportunity for growth. I've discovered I really do not know my own limits. When I think I've reached the end of what I can take I'm tested to go just a bit further. Sometimes I confuse the Plateau with a cliff and fear the only way of escape is to hurl myself off. That would result in me ending up right back where I started and, frankly, I'm getting tired of re-climbing the same mountain. The Plateau plagues me with doubt and fear that I just don't have what it takes to keep going. My own resolve is not enough. I need assurances and encouragement. I need a Promise to the end of the wanting.

I experience the same challenges in my faith life, my marriage, my parenting, my friendships. They all require me to pass over different terrains. Each time I have a choice to move forward in submission to God's ways that promise the best possible outcome or to return to ways that I know are not beneficial. Seems like it should be an easy choice. It isn't always. Those old ways are familiar and some deeply ingrained. Some have become so much a part of me that letting them go leaves me feeling dismembered and vulnerable; unable to function. It takes time, patience and practice for me to learn to navigate. I need stable, level ground to regain my footing and prepare me for my next climb. So here I am. Gaining strength. Exercising Trust, Patience and Faith in God's promises. Persevering.

"And that’s not all. We are full of joy even when we suffer. We know that our suffering gives us the strength to go on. The strength to go on produces character. Character produces hope. And hope will never let us down. God has poured his love into our hearts. He did it through the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us." ~Romans 5:3-5, NIRV