The Law of Requisite Variety
This is the “Holbrook paraphrase:”
The Law of Requisite Variety states that for a system to thrive and sustain, it must generate and encourage variety within it’s internal structures. Clear?
Ok. A little more simplified and cliche’…routine is the enemy!
Basically, this is why your body plateaus every two weeks of doing the exact same exercise and you see no further improvement. Your body will find the most efficient way to do whatever you ask it to do and, without variety of exercises, you fail to experience increased strength or endurance. That’s why mixing up workouts, increasing load or duration always produces positive results.
Spiritually, we do the same thing without even realizing it. Sing the same song week in and week out, pray the same exact prayer everytime you eat a meal, structure a service the exact same way every week and, soon enough, it becomes routine…rote…ritual. Growth stops. Interaction ceases. You check out. The words no longer mean anything, you don’t actually think about what you’re thanking God for and you do not experience worship anymore. You plateau. You slump.
The sacred becomes routine.
What is the sacred or special in your life that has become routine?
Maybe it’s in your relationship with your spouse…
Maybe it’s in the way you interact with God’s word…
Maybe it’s you talking AT God and not listening TO God…
Maybe it’s in the way you serve…or don’t serve…
Most of the time, to break out of the slump, it requires just a simple change. Often a little variety helps break the stagnation.
Always do your quiet time in the same place? Move.
Always read the NIV translation? Try KJV or NLT or The Message paraphrase.
Always pray the exact same prayer? Talk to God and LISTEN. Don’t just demand whatever it is you think you need without ever spending time being still…and quiet.
Not connected in a HOME group and part of a Sunday morning team? Take a step. Visit a group (or two) and volunteer.
It’s a new year and time to get out of the rut!
