Beyond the Plateau: Why Christianity Isn't a Plateau, But a Mountain Range
You may feel and say, as many do, ‘I was converted and became a Christian. I’ve grown. I’ve grown in knowledge, I’ve been reading books, I’ve been listening to sermons. But I’ve arrived now at a sort of peak, and all I do is maintain that. For the rest of my life I will just go on like this.’
My friend, you must get rid of that attitude; you must get rid of it once and forever. That is religion. It is not Christianity. This is Christianity: the Lord appears! Suddenly, in the midst of the drudgery and the routine and the sameness and the dullness and the drabness, unexpectedly, surprisingly, he meets with you, and he says something to you that changes the whole of your life and your outlook and lifts you to a level that you had never conceived was possible for you. . . . There is always this glorious possibility of meeting with him in a new and a dynamic way.” - Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Living Water: Studies in John 4 (Wheaton, 2009), page 14.
Have you ever felt like you've plateaued in your faith? You know the feeling: you've read the books, memorized the verses, and settled into a comfortable routine. Maybe church feels familiar, your prayers sound repetitive, and a spark of excitement seems like a distant memory.
The renowned preacher Martyn Lloyd-Jones describes this feeling perfectly: "a sort of peak, and all I do is maintain that." He warns us, however, that this sense of reaching a spiritual plateau is not Christianity at all.
Christianity, Lloyd-Jones argues, is an ongoing journey of encounters with the living God. Imagine your faith journey not as a single peak, but as a vast mountain range. Sure, there are moments when you reach a summit and enjoy the expansive view. But the journey doesn't end there. Beyond that peak lies another valley. Then another climb. Each reveals new landscapes and challenges you to grow.
The beauty of this analogy? On this mountain range, the most breathtaking moments may come unexpectedly. "Suddenly, in the midst of the drudgery," Lloyd-Jones writes, "the Lord appears!" These unexpected encounters with God can happen anywhere, anytime. Maybe it's a verse that suddenly jumps off the page, a sunrise that fills you with awe, or a conversation that sparks a deeper understanding.
Here are some ways to cultivate these encounters with God and move beyond the plateau:
Practice a Daily Quiet Time: Make dedicated time for prayer, Bible reading, and reflection. It doesn't have to be hours – even a few focused minutes can create space for God to speak.
Embrace the Unexpected: Be open to encountering God in the ordinary. Pay attention to the beauty around you, the people you meet, and the challenges you face.
Seek Out New Perspectives: Read different Christian authors, explore different styles of worship, or have conversations with people from diverse backgrounds. This can help broaden your understanding of God and faith.
Serve Others: Helping others is a powerful way to connect with God and experience his love in action.
Remember, the Christian life is not about reaching a fixed point and holding on. It's about a continuous ascent, with new peaks and valleys along the way. Embrace the journey, stay open to the unexpected, and you'll discover that God's encounters can transform your life in ways you never imagined.
With You;
Pastor Tim
