THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL.
Where Did It Go?
By Deborah Shaffer
July 21st, 2026
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8 verse 1
“Never look back.” I’ve heard this statement so many times, but I don’t agree with it. However, I do agree that we should not look back and allow condemnation over past sins and mistakes to bring us to despair. There are times though that looking back can be valuable, and a trip to the golf course one summer morning taught me this lesson.
It was very early and the sun was just coming up. As I approached the second hole, the sun was directly in my eyes, blinding me. I hit the ball with a perfect and mighty swing. The sound of the club striking the ball was like music to my ears, and I just knew it was one of the best hits I’d ever made. As I watched it fly straight down the fairway, the rays from the bright sun made me lose sight of the ball. I knew the general direction, but I had no clue where it had landed, even though I’d watched it until it hit the ground. I treaded off on the wet grass right down the middle of the fairway. I knew it went straight.
I carefully scanned the area around me as I eagerly anticipated my next superb shot. I searched every inch of where I thought the ball had landed, but to no avail. That’s when I decided to turn around. (Maybe it wasn’t as great a shot as I had imagined.) Much to my dismay, as soon as I turned around, I saw the bright yellow fluorescent ball much further back than I had thought.
You see, if I hadn’t looked back, I would have never come face-to-face with the truth. The truth was that I had hit the ball straight, and that was great! But the truth also was that I didn’t hit it very far—I needed to improve on that. No condemnation. Just facts.
In my daily walk with God I need to keep my eyes focused on my goals and hopes—God’s purpose for my life. I need to strive and push forward to achieve all that God is leading me to do. But I also need to stop and look back at times. It’s a good way to measure my progress—as well as making sure I’m still on the right course.
When I get discouraged, when I think I’m getting nowhere, I look back and see how far I’ve really come. I remember the good and ask God to help me improve where improvement is needed. Only after facing the truth can I deal with my next challenge with the confidence only God can give.
Where Did It Go?
By Deborah Shaffer
July 21st, 2026
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8 verse 1
“Never look back.” I’ve heard this statement so many times, but I don’t agree with it. However, I do agree that we should not look back and allow condemnation over past sins and mistakes to bring us to despair. There are times though that looking back can be valuable, and a trip to the golf course one summer morning taught me this lesson.
It was very early and the sun was just coming up. As I approached the second hole, the sun was directly in my eyes, blinding me. I hit the ball with a perfect and mighty swing. The sound of the club striking the ball was like music to my ears, and I just knew it was one of the best hits I’d ever made. As I watched it fly straight down the fairway, the rays from the bright sun made me lose sight of the ball. I knew the general direction, but I had no clue where it had landed, even though I’d watched it until it hit the ground. I treaded off on the wet grass right down the middle of the fairway. I knew it went straight.
I carefully scanned the area around me as I eagerly anticipated my next superb shot. I searched every inch of where I thought the ball had landed, but to no avail. That’s when I decided to turn around. (Maybe it wasn’t as great a shot as I had imagined.) Much to my dismay, as soon as I turned around, I saw the bright yellow fluorescent ball much further back than I had thought.
You see, if I hadn’t looked back, I would have never come face-to-face with the truth. The truth was that I had hit the ball straight, and that was great! But the truth also was that I didn’t hit it very far—I needed to improve on that. No condemnation. Just facts.
In my daily walk with God I need to keep my eyes focused on my goals and hopes—God’s purpose for my life. I need to strive and push forward to achieve all that God is leading me to do. But I also need to stop and look back at times. It’s a good way to measure my progress—as well as making sure I’m still on the right course.
When I get discouraged, when I think I’m getting nowhere, I look back and see how far I’ve really come. I remember the good and ask God to help me improve where improvement is needed. Only after facing the truth can I deal with my next challenge with the confidence only God can give.
THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL.
Where Did It Go?
By Deborah Shaffer
July 21st, 2026
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8 verse 1
“Never look back.” I’ve heard this statement so many times, but I don’t agree with it. However, I do agree that we should not look back and allow condemnation over past sins and mistakes to bring us to despair. There are times though that looking back can be valuable, and a trip to the golf course one summer morning taught me this lesson.
It was very early and the sun was just coming up. As I approached the second hole, the sun was directly in my eyes, blinding me. I hit the ball with a perfect and mighty swing. The sound of the club striking the ball was like music to my ears, and I just knew it was one of the best hits I’d ever made. As I watched it fly straight down the fairway, the rays from the bright sun made me lose sight of the ball. I knew the general direction, but I had no clue where it had landed, even though I’d watched it until it hit the ground. I treaded off on the wet grass right down the middle of the fairway. I knew it went straight.
I carefully scanned the area around me as I eagerly anticipated my next superb shot. I searched every inch of where I thought the ball had landed, but to no avail. That’s when I decided to turn around. (Maybe it wasn’t as great a shot as I had imagined.) Much to my dismay, as soon as I turned around, I saw the bright yellow fluorescent ball much further back than I had thought.
You see, if I hadn’t looked back, I would have never come face-to-face with the truth. The truth was that I had hit the ball straight, and that was great! But the truth also was that I didn’t hit it very far—I needed to improve on that. No condemnation. Just facts.
In my daily walk with God I need to keep my eyes focused on my goals and hopes—God’s purpose for my life. I need to strive and push forward to achieve all that God is leading me to do. But I also need to stop and look back at times. It’s a good way to measure my progress—as well as making sure I’m still on the right course.
When I get discouraged, when I think I’m getting nowhere, I look back and see how far I’ve really come. I remember the good and ask God to help me improve where improvement is needed. Only after facing the truth can I deal with my next challenge with the confidence only God can give.
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