Navigating the In-Between: Patience, Prayer, and Purpose
Summary
Today’s journey is all about navigating the “in-between” seasons of life—the times when we’re not where we used to be, but we’re not yet where we want to be. God’s desire for each of us is wholeness, abundance, and completeness, but this is not an instant transformation. It’s a process, and often, the most challenging part is the waiting, the enduring, and the trusting when it feels like God is distant or delayed. Just as a farmer works and waits for the harvest, we are called to be patient, steadfast, and to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, trusting that the rain—the breakthrough, the answer, the harvest—is coming.
Patience in the kingdom is not passive. Like the farmer, we keep working, keep planting, and keep believing, even when we don’t see immediate results. The temptation in these seasons is to compare our journey to others, to grumble, or to lose heart. But God calls us to look up, not around, and to trust the patterns of His faithfulness. The prophets and Job are examples of those who endured suffering and saw God’s compassion and restoration in the end.
Prayer is essential in the process. It’s not just a last resort or a Sunday ritual, but the very means by which we invite heaven to invade our present reality. Prayer is for everyone, and it’s how we bring God’s supernatural solutions into our natural circumstances. Whether we’re suffering, rejoicing, or in need of healing, we are to pray and keep praying, believing that God hears and responds.
Finally, we are called to live beyond ourselves. The journey to wholeness is not just about personal fulfillment, but about taking responsibility for others—reaching out to those who have wandered, loving the broken, and staying on mission. Jesus is found among the broken, and as we love others and bring them back, we step into the fullness of what God has for us. The process is not just about arriving at a destination, but about becoming more like Jesus along the way.
Key Takeaways
- Patience is Active, Not Passive
True patience in the Christian life is not about sitting back and waiting for God to move; it’s about working faithfully in the “in-between” seasons, just like a farmer who keeps planting and tending the field even when the rain hasn’t come yet. This kind of patience is rooted in hope and expectation, trusting that God’s patterns of faithfulness will hold true, even when we can’t see immediate results. Our role is to keep our eyes on Jesus and not be distracted by comparison or discouragement. [52:59]
- Prayer Invites Heaven to Earth
Prayer is not a religious formality or a last-ditch effort; it is the lifeline that connects us to God’s power and presence. Through prayer, we invite the reality of heaven into our everyday struggles, anxieties, and needs. Even when we don’t see answers right away, persistent prayer aligns our hearts with God’s will and brings supernatural solutions into natural situations. [01:00:01]
- Wholeness is Found in Community and Mission
God’s vision for our lives is not just individual wholeness, but a collective completeness as His body. We are called to take responsibility for one another, to pursue those who have wandered, and to love the broken as Jesus did. Living on mission and looking beyond ourselves keeps us engaged in the process and draws us closer to the heart of God. [01:03:14]
- Comparison Distracts from God’s Process
One of the greatest dangers in the waiting season is the temptation to compare our journey to others. When we look around instead of looking up, we either fall into pride or discouragement. God’s process and timing are unique for each of us, and our focus must remain on His faithfulness and the work He is doing in our own lives. [54:10]
- The Process is About Becoming, Not Just Arriving
The journey to wholeness is not simply about reaching a destination, but about being transformed into the likeness of Jesus. Every valley, detour, and delay is an opportunity for God to shape us, deepen our faith, and use us to bring hope to others. The promise is not just that we will arrive, but that God will be faithful every step of the way. [01:08:34]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[40:22] - Reflections on Community and Transition
[42:06] - God’s Desire: Wholeness and the Process
[43:11] - Navigating the In-Between Season
[45:20] - The Road Trip Analogy: Are We There Yet?
[49:08] - The Challenge of Waiting
[51:01] - Be Patient and Keep Your Eyes Up
[51:56] - Patience Like a Farmer
[52:59] - The Patterns of God’s Faithfulness
[54:10] - The Danger of Comparison
[01:00:01] - Keep Praying and Bring Heaven Down
[01:03:14] - Take Responsibility and Live Beyond Yourself
[01:06:38] - Love Covers a Multitude of Sins
[01:07:49] - Stay on Mission Until Jesus Returns
[01:08:34] - God’s Faithfulness Through Every Season
[01:09:50] - Invitation to Salvation and Restoration
[01:10:56] - Final Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Navigating the In-Between Seasons
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### Bible Reading
James 5:7-20 (ESV)
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
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### Observation Questions
1. What does James compare patience to in this passage, and what does that comparison teach us about how we should wait on God? ([51:56])
2. According to James, what are some practical things believers should do when they are suffering, cheerful, or sick? ([43:11])
3. What examples does James give of people who endured suffering and saw God’s faithfulness? ([52:59])
4. What does James say about how we should treat those who have wandered from the truth? ([01:03:14])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think James uses the example of a farmer to describe patience? How does this change the way we think about waiting on God? ([51:56])
2. The sermon said, “Patience in the kingdom is not passive.” What does it look like to be “actively patient” in your own life? ([52:59])
3. Why is prayer described as the way we “invite heaven to earth”? What does that mean for how we approach prayer in hard times? ([01:00:01])
4. The sermon talked about the danger of comparison during the “in-between” seasons. Why is comparison so tempting, and how does it distract us from God’s process? ([54:10])
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### Application Questions
1. Think about a current “in-between” season in your life. What would it look like for you to be patient like a farmer—actively working and trusting God for the harvest, even when you don’t see results yet? ([52:59])
2. The sermon challenged us to keep our eyes on Jesus instead of comparing our journey to others. Is there an area where you’ve been looking around instead of looking up? How can you shift your focus this week? ([54:10])
3. Prayer was described as a lifeline, not just a last resort. What is one area of your life where you need to invite heaven to earth through prayer right now? How can your group support you in this? ([01:00:01])
4. James says to confess your sins to one another and pray for each other. Is there something you need to bring into the light with a trusted friend or your group so you can experience healing? ([43:11])
5. The sermon said wholeness is found in community and mission, not just personal fulfillment. Who is someone in your life who has wandered from faith or is hurting? What is one step you can take this week to reach out to them or show them the love of Jesus? ([01:03:14])
6. The process is about becoming, not just arriving. How have you seen God use a difficult or “in-between” season to shape your character or faith? ([01:08:34])
7. The message ended with a call to stay on mission and not give up. What is one way you can stay engaged in God’s mission, even when you feel tired or discouraged? ([01:07:49])
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Close in prayer, asking God for patience, steadfastness, and a heart that stays on mission—trusting His faithfulness in every season.
Devotional
Day 1: Wholeness in Christ Is a Process, Not an Instant Event
God’s desire for every believer is to experience wholeness, completeness, and abundance, but this is not achieved in a single moment—it unfolds through a process. The journey often involves trials and suffering, which produce steadfastness and faithfulness, ultimately leading to the fullness of life Jesus intends for us. Even when you feel broken or lost, know that Jesus is working to bring healing and abundance, and that the process itself is part of His loving plan for your life. If you find yourself in the middle of the process, feeling distant from God or wondering when you’ll arrive at “wholeness,” remember that you are not alone—He is with you every step of the way. [42:06]
James 1:2-4 (ESV)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Reflection: Where in your life do you feel stuck in the “in-between” right now, and how can you invite Jesus into that process, trusting that He is working even when you can’t see the outcome yet?
Day 2: Patience Like a Farmer—Active Waiting with Hope
Patience in the Christian life is not passive or inactive; it is like the patience of a farmer who works diligently, plants seeds, and waits with hope for the harvest, even when there is no immediate sign of rain. This kind of patience means continuing to do good, keeping your eyes on God rather than comparing your journey to others, and trusting that God’s promises will come to fruition in His timing. Even when you don’t see results right away, remain steadfast and keep your focus upward, knowing that God is faithful and the harvest is coming. [52:59]
James 5:7-11 (ESV)
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Reflection: What is one area where you are tempted to give up or compare your journey to others, and how can you choose to keep your eyes on God and patiently keep working today?
Day 3: Prayer Invites Heaven to Earth
Prayer is not optional for the believer—it is essential for living the full and abundant life God has for you. Through prayer, you invite the kingdom of heaven to invade your circumstances, whether you are suffering, rejoicing, or in need of healing. Prayer is for everyone, not just the spiritually elite, and it connects you to God’s supernatural solutions even when natural circumstances seem unchangeable. Keep praying, even when you don’t see immediate answers, and trust that God is working in ways you may not yet see. [01:00:01]
James 5:13-18 (ESV)
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
Reflection: What is one specific situation in your life where you need to persist in prayer, inviting God’s presence and power, even if you haven’t seen change yet?
Day 4: Take Responsibility—Live Beyond Yourself
The Christian journey is not just about personal wholeness; it’s about taking responsibility for others and living on mission. God calls you to look beyond yourself, to pursue those who are hurting, lost, or have wandered from the truth, and to show them the love and grace of Jesus. When you live with others in mind, you reflect the heart of Christ, who left heaven to bring healing and hope to the broken. Staying on mission and caring for others keeps you engaged in God’s process and helps you step into the fullness He has for you. [01:04:23]
James 5:19-20 (ESV)
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Reflection: Who is one person in your life who may be hurting or far from God, and what is one practical way you can reach out to them with the love of Jesus this week?
Day 5: God’s Faithfulness in Every Season
Throughout all the ups and downs, detours, and valleys of life, God remains faithful. The journey to wholeness is filled with both mountaintops and low places, but God’s presence and purpose are constant. Even when you feel like giving up, remember that God is not finished with your story—He is working to bring restoration, healing, and hope. Trust in His faithfulness, stay patient, keep praying, and remain on mission, knowing that God’s best is yet to come. [01:08:34]
Lamentations 3:22-24 (ESV)
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Reflection: Looking back on your journey, where can you see God’s faithfulness in your life, and how can remembering His past faithfulness give you hope and perseverance for today?
Quotes
Here's what I believe about God, that perfection, lacking nothing, abundance, wholeness is not a destination, but it's a person and it's Jesus. And here's what I know about Jesus. Jesus is where broken people are. And so if we want to get to wholeness, we have to get to Jesus. We have to take responsibility for those who are broken in our communities and in our life. We have to show them the love of Jesus. We have to invite them back. It says love covers a multitude of sins. We don't expose, we cover. That's what Jesus did for us. He was in the perfection of heaven and he left and came to our brokenness and brought healing and hope and redemption and covering through his work on the cross and resurrection. [01:05:57] (52 seconds)
You see, this is what prayer does. Prayer is inviting the kingdom of heaven to invade earth. Prayer connects us with what God is doing. You see, one of the dangers is when we are saved, we think we are on a road trip to get us to heaven. No. We're on a mission to bring heaven to earth. And the way we bring heaven to earth is through prayer. Prayer is simply communication with God. Prayer is not for the religious elite, but prayer is for everyone. And when we pray, we're inviting heaven to invade earth. [01:00:01] (42 seconds)
We're called to look at the heavens. We're called to look at Jesus because if Jesus started it, he's going to finish it. Just keep your eyes up. The rain's coming. Stay faithful. Stay patient. Keep working. Keep planting because in due season, you will see a harvest. You will see a harvest. Stay faithful. Stay patient. [00:58:05] (24 seconds)
Don't give up. Don't give up. Stay patient. Stay steadfast. Keep praying and stay on mission. We're not just kids in the back of a car on a road trip. We're faithful farmers. We're planting seeds. And those relationships with your unsaved friends, co -workers, or family, just keep planting seeds. Just keep working and keep your eyes up to heaven, trusting that God is going to bring a harvest. [01:07:30] (31 seconds)
Let me say this. If you want to navigate the in -between season well, don't talk about it. Do the stuff. Do the stuff Jesus has called us to do. Love people. Be kind to people. Do it. Talk is cheap. [00:58:53] (16 seconds)
Here's what I've seen, friends. Over the last 30 years, it hasn't been perfect. It hasn't been all mountaintops. There's been a lot of valleys. There's been a lot of mistakes, detours. It's been a lot of great times. But here's what I know. God has been faithful every step of the way. Be patient. Stay steadfast. Keep praying. Stay on mission. Watch what God will do in your life. [01:08:53] (24 seconds)
So why do we pray for the sick? Because we're inviting heaven to earth, and we believe that healing is available today. And even when we don't see the healing, guess what? We're gonna keep praying. Why? Because we're on mission to bring heaven to earth. You can invite heaven into your mind through prayer. You can invite heaven over your depression and anxiety. You can invite heaven over your depression and anxiety. You can invite heaven over your depression and anxiety. through prayer. You can invite heaven when you are feeling doubt and alone through prayer and communication with God. Even when you feel like no one's listening, keep praying. [01:01:17] (33 seconds)
But one of the key things of going through the process of getting to where God has called us to go, it requires patience. But here's what you have to understand. Patience does not mean inactivity. Because when I say patience to you, it can sound like a parent saying, we'll get there when we get there. Just be quiet in the back. Now, this isn't a road trip like that. He's not just saying, don't do anything. We'll get there when we get there. He describes patience in a very awesome way. He says, patience is a lot like being a farmer. [00:51:56] (33 seconds)
Sometimes it takes months years even decades to see the results of the seeds that are sown in faith but here's the thing the farmer knows the rains are coming you see the farmer learns to read the seasons it's not blind faith he knows that every fall and every spring it rains why because that's the pattern of the seasons it's the same with god's plans for your life my friend there are patterns we can look at the patterns and say you know what i might not see it right now but i trust that i'm going to see it why james says look at the prophets they were given a word they had a calling but yet they went through suffering but they showed patience and steadfastness and they saw the reward from god there's a pattern he says look at job he was a righteous man who lost everything but in the end god restored all that he had lost why because he's merciful and compassionate my friends there is a pattern there's a pattern look up stop looking down [00:56:05] (71 seconds)
And I want to let you know, friends, that's what we are called to do as well. I find that those who put others before themselves the most oftentimes look the most like Jesus. And maybe if we could just stop and look beyond ourselves, we can step into the fullness that God has for us. Man, there's nothing like staying on mission to keep you engaged in the process and promises that God has for you. [01:07:00] (29 seconds)
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