And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.

Luke 15:14

Why don’t we notice our true need until way too late? It is obvious to those looking in at our situation that we need help long before we realize it ourselves.

It’s as though we wander out with a healthy pack full of supplies and enough blind confidence to survive whatever may come by simply plowing ahead and not looking back.

We get out beyond the point where we can safely turn around and have provisions to survive the return journey. And then, we get a case of the eff-its.

May as well keep going now. Wouldn’t do any good to turn back at this point.

Curiously, this attitude is one that will serve us well when we do get on the beam. It’s a faith that though we can’t see what’s ahead, we choose to believe in His provision for us. That an aid station awaits us beyond our current reach.

But when we are off on our own, we come to the end of ourselves. We are truly desolate. And we are at a turning point. One of many. We don’t know which may be our last, either.

Will we sit down and die? Will we plow on with abandon into the abyss of our own lost path? Will we turn around and do the unthinkable-begin an incomprehensible return journey?

We are ill equipped—heck we are not equipped with anything—to make it back.

Luckily, we are not alone.

God, show me the way back and help me take the next step.