The Goal of Being "Made for More"

This message isn't just meant to be inspirational. The goal is to guide each of us toward a specific "more" with specific steps - a particular "more" that God has for your life.

What is the "more" God has for you?

Maybe it's healing from past pain, hurt, or trauma

Perhaps freedom from addiction

A deeper understanding of God's love for you

A more generous approach to finances

Taking a spiritual step that requires faith

Going back to school, starting a business, or getting into ministry

Whatever your "more" is, writing it down helps you hear God's message through the lens of what He's calling you toward.

Why Is Waiting So Hard?

One of the toughest places to be in life is the waiting room - when God seems silent, answers aren't coming, and things appear stalled. Yet sometimes the greatest step of faith we can take is simply waiting on God.

James 5 addresses this directly: "Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord's return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You too must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near."

Learning to wait patiently is one of life's most difficult lessons, but it's a mark of spiritual maturity.

When Is It Difficult to Wait Patiently?

1. When Life Is Out of Control

James uses farming as an example of patience amid uncontrollable circumstances. Farmers can't control the weather, economy, or labor prices. Yet they plant seeds and wait.

When we worry about uncontrollable circumstances, we're actually trying to control them. But worry about things we can't change is useless. Instead, like farmers, we need patience when circumstances are beyond our control.

2. When Our Lives Align with God's Will

James points to the prophets who knew they were speaking God's will but faced opposition and rejection. They patiently stood firm and stayed true to the message despite discouragement.

We live in a microwave culture, but we serve a crock pot God. Patience doesn't mean nothing's happening - it means something is slow-cooking behind the scenes.

A temptation when waiting on God's will is comparing ourselves to others. We grumble, "How did they get that promotion? I work harder!" But James warns: "Don't grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged."

3. When Life Is Painful

Job lost everything in a single day - family, wealth, health - with no explanation. Yet he remained faithful to God through it all.

James writes: "We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end. For the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy."

Life isn't fair. There's much injustice in this world. But waiting patiently is key to being made for more.

Key Mindsets for Waiting Patiently

1. Remember God Is in Control

Three times in James 5, he reminds us that Jesus is coming back. This is the ultimate proof that God is in control. History is His story - moving on a timeline toward a climax according to His plan.

Nothing is beyond God's control, so be patient. His timing is perfect.

2. Remember God Rewards Patience

"We give great honor to those who endure under suffering." It pays to be patient.

Patience builds character, helps avoid mistakes, enables you to reach goals, earns honor from others, and improves relationships.

Galatians 6:9 promises: "Let us not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up."

3. Remember God Is Still Writing Your Story

If you're not dead, God's not done. There's still more He wants to do in and through you.

Even Job, who knew nothing of Christ's resurrection, said: "If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come."

A delay is not a denial. While you're waiting, God is working - often in ways you'll never see.

How Do We Wait Patiently?

1. Wait Expectantly

Like farmers, prepare for the harvest while waiting. If you truly expect God to act, you'll prepare for His answer.

Sometimes we think we're waiting on God when God is actually waiting on us to grow more before we can handle the blessing.

2. Wait Without Complaining

Lamentations says: "It is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord."

When we're frustrated and can't control our circumstances, we often take it out on those closest to us. Instead, we should wait quietly without grumbling.

3. Wait With Confidence

Like Job, maintain hope even in the darkest times. HOPE stands for "Holding On, Praying Expectantly."

Isaiah 40:31 promises: "Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

Life Application

Some of us think we're stuck when we've actually been planted. When a seed is planted, all it sees is mud. It doesn't feel good or right. But it takes time for the plant to emerge from the seed with all its potential.

When we get impatient with God's process, we often take matters into our own hands. Instead of soaking up the water, we imagine we're drowning. Instead of embracing the sunlight, we think we're melting. We tell ourselves we need to hurry through this season.

Ask yourself:

Where do I need more patience in my life right now?

What uncontrollable circumstances am I trying to control through worry?

Am I comparing my journey to others instead of focusing on God's unique plan for me?

Do I believe God is still working even when I can't see evidence of it?

This week, identify one area where you need to wait on God. Instead of taking matters into your own hands, commit to waiting expectantly, without complaining, and with confidence that God is working behind the scenes.

Remember: While you're waiting, God is working. His purpose for your life is greater than the problem in your life.

Pastor Tim