In the second part of the "My Job Depends on Ag" series, this sermon addresses the often-dreaded spiritual discipline of waiting. We frequently try to avoid praying for patience to dodge trials, but trials are inevitable. The question isn't if we will wait, but how. Using James' analogy of the farmer, we see that waiting is not passive; it is an active, expectant dependence on God for a harvest we cannot control.

Scripture References

• James 5:7-11: "Be patient then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits... patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains."
• Psalm 27:14: "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
• Isaiah 40:31: "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength..."
• 2 Timothy 2:3-6: Paul uses the soldier, athlete, and the hard-working farmer as examples of perseverance.
• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: "Love is patient... love always perseveres."
• Mark 4:26-29: The parable of the growing seed, illustrating the slow, mysterious nature of Kingdom growth.

Key Points

1. Waiting is Active, Not Passive James points to the farmer who waits for the rains. For a first-century farmer, this wasn't leisurely; it was survival. His life depended on conditions outside his control. Similarly, waiting on God is an active posture of looking to Him as our source, surrendering our need for control.
2. Why We Wait
   • To kill entitlement: Waiting cures the "Veruca Salt syndrome" ("I want it now!").
   • To look to God: Waiting shifts our focus from the thing we want to the One who provides it.
   • To develop character: Patience is essential for spiritual maturity.
3. Hurry is the Enemy of Love First Corinthians 13 begins with "Love is patient" and ends with "Love perseveres." If we cannot wait, we cannot love. Hurry makes us incapable of connecting with God and others. Patience is simply the ability to wait with a heart of peace and hope.
4. The Kingdom Grows Slowly Jesus' parable of the seed (Mark 4) shows that Kingdom growth is often mundane, slow, and invisible. While we love "Pentecost moments," most growth happens through small, daily acts of obedience—prayer, listening, and faithfulness over time.

Conclusion

Waiting is not forever. James reminds us to be patient until the Lord's coming. Jesus, the ultimate Farmer, patiently suffered on the cross to forgive our impatience and secure our future. Whether He breaks through in this life or at His return, the wait will end. Until then, we are called to practice "slowing"—deliberately placing ourselves in positions where we must wait—to cultivate a heart of patience.

Calls to Action

1. Shift Your Perspective: View waiting not as a nuisance but as "patience practice"—an opportunity for your heart to grow.
2. Practice "Slowing":
   • Drive in one lane at the speed limit and use the time to pray.
   • Listen to people without your phone in your hand.
   • Take deliberate breaks from technology.
3. Pray for Patience: Stop avoiding it. Ask God for the grace to wait well.
4. Receive Prayer: If you are in a painful season of waiting, come forward for prayer to receive strength to persevere.

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