They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai.

—EXODUS 16:1 ESV

Elim is not a well-known stop on the Israelites’ journey out of Egypt, but according to Exodus 15:27 (ESV), they found “twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees” in that little oasis. The people were able to make camp there. It was a refreshing respite in what had already become a thirsty walk, not long after crossing the Red Sea.

Sinai, of course, lay up ahead, and it would be an eventful place too. The Lord would give the Ten Commandments there and amaze them with His power visibly displayed on the mountain—fire, smoke, thunder, earthquake—awesome experiences that would show them the undeniable power of their God.

But “between” Elim and Sinai was a “wilderness”—barren, dry territory that left much to be desired. Here, they’d be put to the monotonous task of plodding along under a blazing hot sun while staring at endless acres of vast wasteland. But if they wanted to get to Sinai, to the things that God was preparing for them at that point in their journey, they’d need to be willing to forge through the landscape that led to it.

The in-between.

In-between times are necessary. They are the bridge between what He has done for you and what He’s preparing to do in your future. This is the phase where you learn to draw close to Him, where He teaches you how to depend on Him for everything, even when another path seems preferable, and certainly more pleasurable.

Are you willing to go there? Willing to stay committed and faithful to the journey when there is nothing extraordinary to report? Willing to stay forward-facing when you’re doing little else than putting one foot in front of the other, day after mundane day? Willing to keep up a sense of holy anticipation, eager to see what He has in store for you next, even when it doesn’t feel like you’re connecting with Him the way you once did?

Are you willing to dedicate yourself to the in-between, even when tempted to look back at the wonders of “Elim”—back when the movement of God was clearly flowing? When your prayer times were rich and vibrant? When spiritual disciplines didn’t feel like such a chore, a duty, an effort? When your excitement at what He was doing was at a high crest?

Perhaps at this moment, the wilderness feels as though it’s draining you dry. The refreshment of Elim is no longer dripping off your tongue, nor is Sinai’s peak in your line of sight. The stinging wind and dusty conditions, the high heat and low visibility—they’re only intensifying your desire for what you wish your life could be right now. But trust God. Believe that if He has positioned you in-between for now, this is where you’ll grow nearer to Him and where you’ll be best prepared for what lies ahead.

The in-between time is not a waste. This phase in your journey will be worth your full engagement.

Elim was yesterday. Sinai is tomorrow.

But for now . . . be in-between.

You have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

—HEBREWS 10:36