Many of us know the classic song “End of the Road” by Boyz II Men and assume it is a heartbreaking love song. But a closer look at the lyrics reveals a more troubling story: it is about a person who cannot let go of a relationship that was unfaithful and toxic. The song portrays someone stuck in a delusion, clinging to what was, even though it was painful and unhealthy. This is not romantic; it is a tragedy that keeps people from moving forward into freedom and healing.

This feeling of being stuck is not limited to romantic partners. We all have “exes” in our lives. An ex can be a job you poured everything into that never valued you, a mindset that no longer fits who you are becoming, or a season of life that has ended. The tragedy occurs when we struggle to accept that what once was is no longer, and we remain tethered to the past, unable to walk into our next chapter. This is precisely where we find the people of God in Deuteronomy 2. After years of wandering in circles, God declares that it is time to move on. He says, “You have been skirting this hill country long enough. Head north.” It is go time.