When God Takes the Scenic Route: Finding Purpose in the Wilderness

Have you ever followed your GPS, only to realize it’s taking you the long way around? Frustrating, right? Yet sometimes the longest, hardest route is exactly where God wants to lead us.

This was true for the Israelites in Exodus. After centuries of oppression, God didn’t take them straight to the Promised Land. Instead, He led them through the wilderness. Why? Not just to rescue them from slavery, but to teach them how to live as free people.

We see this in Moses’ story. Forty years in the wilderness had left him feeling forgotten and powerless. Yet God called him to lead His people, not because of Moses’ ability, but because of His presence:

"But I will be with you… when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain." (Exodus 3:12, ESV)

Like Israel at the Red Sea, sometimes God’s way feels impossible. The enemy behind, the path ahead blocked—but God makes a way where there seems to be none. He turns impossible situations into opportunities to grow, trust, and walk in freedom.

The takeaway: The long way is often God’s mercy. Your wilderness season isn’t wasted; it’s shaping you. Freedom isn’t just leaving the old behind—it’s trusting God through the journey.

If you missed the first sermon in this series, now’s the perfect time to catch up. Dive into Exodus with us and see how God’s guidance through the wilderness leads to transformation and freedom.