The Long Road to Readiness

I am a lifelong Tolkien fan. The read-the-books kind. One of the most quoted lines from The Lord of the Rings is “Not all those who wander are lost.” What many do not realize is that it comes from a longer poem written about Strider, a man known to the world as a ranger, but who was, in truth, a king in waiting.

The poem speaks to potential, timing, and identity. It reads like a leadership case study.

Strider is a reluctant leader. Capable, prepared, and tested, yet unsure whether he wants the responsibility that comes with stepping fully into his role. He understands the cost of leadership. The visibility. The weight of decision.

But his reluctance goes deeper. He also questions his worthiness. He knows the crown awaits him, yet knowing who you are does not always mean believing you are ready to carry it. Like many leaders, his hesitation is not about competence, but about deserving the title and the authority that comes with it.

So he wanders. Not to escape, but to prepare. He learns people. Sharpens his skills. Leads quietly from the margins. His wandering is formation, not avoidance.

When he meets Frodo, he reaches a crossroads. He can remain useful but unseen, or he can step forward and lead before he feels fully ready or fully worthy. Leadership begins there, not with certainty, but with willingness.

There have been seasons in my own life where wandering was necessary. Quiet seasons to observe, test ideas, and fail without an audience. Wandering creates space to discover who you are, what you value, and where you still need to grow.

Wandering is not wasted time.

It allows for quiet failure before public failure. It builds depth. Sometimes, it offers rest.
But eventually, the call comes.

Leadership requires stepping out of the shadows. Trading comfort for responsibility. Moving from preparation to presence. Wandering is easy. Leadership is hard.

The mistake is not wandering. The mistake is staying there when wandering has done its work.

If you are in a wandering season, lean into it. Let your roots grow deep.

But if you are standing at a crossroads, wondering if stepping forward is worth it, hear this clearly.

It is.

Your gifts were not meant to stay hidden. Your leadership matters. Your community needs what only you can bring.

Not all who wander are lost.
But not all are meant to wander forever.

-Michelle