“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 ESV
Hitting a plateau is something I think we have all experienced, or certainly will experience at some point in our lives. It's arriving at a place where we just can't seem to move ahead. We can't seem to move beyond a certain point in our workout routines. We may grow bored in our daily vocation. We are moving in the right direction but have just grown tired of it. Being stuck in a rut can certainly can affect our spiritual walk with Christ.
This writing is largely inspired by a sermon by Martyn Lloyd-Jones that has had an impact on me. Lloyd-Jones was a Welsh Protestant minister who died in 1981. He describes this plateau in spiritual terms as one “becoming accustomed to the Christian life. No longer are we surprised at things, as we were in the beginning, because we are familiar with them and know about them.” Somehow, somewhere, we have grown lackluster and weary although we are headed in the right direction, in doing good.
In his sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives us “three negatives” to help those of us who might find ourselves in this place of weariness.
1. Do not give up. Whatever you do, do not give into the temptation to say to yourself, “I am weary and tired, the thing is too much for me.” We must lean in and determine not to give in. Do not give up!
2. Do not resign to it. This, as he says, is the greatest temptation. It isn't quitting, but it is a resigning of ourselves that this is how things will always be. It's saying and believing that things are hopeless to change and we therefore go on wearily. Do not resign!
3. Do not turn to artificial stimulants. There are obvious inclusions we can make about this negative point. Some may secretly look to drugs, alcohol or other stimulant for relief. At first glance, we might say, I have no “artificial stimulant “ problem. Need I remind us church techs of the stimulation that comes from gear lust? Let us not turn to anything artificial to gain a little temporary energy or excitement.
Now, let us look at what he calls the positives.
1. Start with self-examination. Prayfully consider and ask our Lord to help you see why you are in this condition. Some of the reasons may include but not limited to:
“You are working too hard physically. You can be tired in the work and not tired of the work” Read the story of Elijah from 1 Kings 19. He needed sleep and food.
“We may be doing all of the work in our own strength instead of working in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
2. Ask yourself, “Why do I do what I do?” It's a scary question. We may be doing it simply for the thrill and excitement that technical production offers. If so, we will certainly grow weary.
3. Ask yourself, “Has this work kept me going?” It's the classic case of a man who has grown depressed in his older age because his identity has been wrapped up in his work, which he is no longer able to physically do.
Remember that you are “doing good”! Following Jesus is not a task or duty. It is not heavy. Have you grown tired and weary while serving in technical ministry? Is it drudgery to get through another week of setups, requests, problems, meetings, and leading your teams? Has it become just a routine? In his sermon Lloyd-Jones reminds us, “My friend, if you think of your Christian life in any shape or form with this sense of grudge, or as a wearisome task or duty, I tell you to go back to the beginning of your life, retrace your steps to the wicket gate through which you passed. Look at the world in its evil and sin, look at the hell to which it was leading you, and then look forward and realize that you are set in the midst of the most glorious campaign into which man could ever enter, and that you are on the noblest road that the world has ever known.”
Our lives are preparatory. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galations 6:9) Sometimes the grind of life seems to get to us. But we must look past this short time that is today and look on to eternity. Look on to see that we do not labor in vain.
“If any man would be My disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross…” – and this is critical – “and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)
Paul says a most extraordinary thing in writing to the church in Colossia. “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
(Colossians 1:24). He says that he is privileged to make up in his own body what remains of the suffering of Christ. What if you and I as Christians are having the same privilege without knowing it? Well, remind yourself of your blessed Master and look to Him and ask Him to forgive you for ever having allowed you to be weary or discouraged.
Look at your life again in this way, and when you do you will find that you are filled with a new hope, a new strength, a new power. You will not need your artificial stimulants or anything else, for you will find that you are again thrilled with the privilege and joy of it all, and you will hate yourself for having grumbled and complained, and you will go forward still more gloriously, until eventually you will hear Him saying: ‘Well done, you good and faithful servant….” (Luke 25:21)…”Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (Luke 24:34)
