As we step into a new season, there’s a spiritual opportunity to recalibrate. With the fall rhythms settling in, it’s a moment to ask, “Can I have more?” But this desire for “more” often rubs against the biblical call to be content. How do we chase after growth while remaining grounded in God’s peace? How do we pursue more without losing our soul in the process?

Why Fall Feels Like a “More” Season

Fall is a time of harvest, a season of reaping the fruits of what we’ve sown. Spiritually, this time calls us to reflect and prepare for life’s challenges ahead. It’s not about cramming a “new year” into fall, but about intentionally storing up spiritually. If we want “more,” we have to ask ourselves: what exactly are we preparing for, and how do we pursue it in a way that honors God?

The Root Tension: Desire vs. Contentment

We often feel torn between hunger for more and contentment in the present. Paul calls us to be content, yet Jesus invites us into deeper growth. The key is to reframe what “more” truly means. Healthy desires for more of God’s work and presence are good, but when those desires turn selfish—seeking status, comfort, or recognition—it leads to bitterness. True contentment doesn’t stifle desire but directs it toward growth that reflects God’s will.

What “Abundant Life” Really Means

When Jesus speaks of an “abundant life,” He’s not referring to material wealth or success. The Greek word for “abundant” suggests surplus—an overflow of spiritual satisfaction that comes from God’s resources, not our own. It’s about living from His surplus rather than constantly seeking what the world offers.

The Shepherd and Sheep: A Call to Sacrifice

Jesus’ metaphor of the shepherd and the hired hand reveals the difference between self-preservation and sacrificial love. The hired hand runs from danger, but the shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. God’s abundance isn’t about grasping but giving. It’s a life of sacrifice and service, trusting that in laying down our lives, God will refill us with His goodness.

Are We Hired Hands or Shepherds?

Ask yourself: Do you live like a hired hand, avoiding risk for comfort, or like a shepherd who pours out because you trust God’s provision? The shepherd’s life is rooted in the belief that the cup won’t run dry. In the kingdom, we gain by losing and are filled by giving.

Practical Steps to Pursue the Right “More”

  1. Inspect Your Intentions: Are you seeking more for personal gain or to serve others?

  2. Reorient Toward Worship: Move from performance to worship, focusing on honoring God.

  3. Learn to Pour Out: Practice sacrificial generosity and service, trusting God to refill you.

  4. Build Missions Into Your Rhythms: Make evangelism and online church services part of your daily life.

  5. Choose Rest Over Striving: Embrace God’s rhythm of rest, even in busy seasons.

  6. Beware the Pharisee Within: Avoid rule-keeping and shallow faith; pursue genuine holiness.

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Our belief in God’s future renewal shapes how we live today. Every act of love, service, and justice contributes to the Kingdom that will be fully realized when Christ returns. At Friends Church in Willoughby, Ohio, you’ll feel like one of the family. Discover more about our services, programs, and offerings by contacting us today!