The Roundabout Way is the Best Way

Faith that is built in the wilderness is stronger than faith that is built in the battle.

Many have heard the saying, “Good things come to those who wait.” While I would agree, let’s be honest, it’s frustrating! Sometimes, God takes us on what I call the roundabout way. It’s the pathway to our potential that takes longer than expected. When you feel yourself on this trajectory, it can be discouraging. But the roundabout way is not meant to serve as punishment, but preparation.

When the Israelites began their journey from Egypt to the promised land, God took them the roundabout way. Instead of the fastest route coming from the south, God led them east. If He had led them by the fastest route, they would have faced obstacles they were not yet ready to overcome. The roundabout way gave them small victories so that their faith in God had a chance to grow. But instead of focusing on their provisions, they complained about their preference. They had grown tired of the food source God had blessed them with, and they began to curse it. Their ungratefulness kept them in the wilderness longer than what they should have been.

When my wife and I loaded our three children in the car and moved to South Florida, it felt less like the continuation of our journey and more like starting over. We went from owning a house to renting a mobile home. My wife went from being able to be at home, raising our children, to working a full-time job just to make ends meet. I went from being a well-known community leader to…nobody. But looking back, I can see that God was preparing me for what He had for me.

What we see from the weeds is not what God sees from above. He knows that success is more than arriving at the destination, it’s enjoying yourself once you’re there. The journey may take longer than you thought, but trust that God is leading you down the right path. In your wilderness, learn to humble yourself and redefine your definition of progress.

Take some time to read today’s scripture and reflect on your own journey. Are you so focused on winning the battle that you have forfeited the war? Have you begun to complain in the wait? What small wins have you had recently that you can stop and celebrate?