Appointment or Disappointment
Sunday night’s Super Bowl 2022 was reason for our community to pack out our theater room and bring all kinds of goodies to munch on. Most of us cheered for the underdogs, the Bengals, but none of us lost any sleep because they lost. In the end, the Bengals had DISAPPOINTMENT written on their faces and the Rams were ecstatic with the thrill of victory.
Yesterday morning, I was delighted when I read about the faith of some of the players:
LA Rams’ Cooper Kupp, widely regarded as the best wide receiver in the NFL today, is among the most vocal Christians. “I am exactly where I am supposed to be and doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. My faith in God and his plan for me allows me to play freely without doubt or fear.”
Rams’ running back Sony Michel, told reporters, “We get all this glory, but the glory is not for us. It’s for God. That’s my purpose.” Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson regularly quotes Scripture on social media and wore a shirt with “God is good” printed across the top at a recent press conference. Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither adds: “Every step of my life, God has blessed me in so many ways. I’m blessed that I’m able to share his love and let my life be a testimony of his unwavering love for us all.” And Zac Taylor, Cincinnati’s head coach, has testified that he lives by the priorities of faith, family, friends, and football—in that order.
I love when I hear anyone speaking about God and His goodness. They are helping to make HIM famous. Maybe you don’t care one way or the other about a Super Bowl game, but maybe some-ONE or some-THING has brought you tremendous DISAPPOINTMENT. We can’t stop disappointment, but we can stop staying stuck in it. I know how easy it is to dwell on something or someone that hurts us.
I remember times of great disappointment and when I remained in sadness and regret, the more miserable I would get. But, when I would refuse to stay in that place and go to my Peace-Giver, I would snap out of the doldrums and find that place of joy, comfort, and peace. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
Isn’t it interesting that the word “APPOINTMENT” comes from within the word DISAPPOINTMENT? I’ve seen how disappointments can take something from us: a dream, a piece of our hearts – maybe whole chunks of it. But disappointments also give us something too: a gift, an opportunity, the possibility of creating change.
Yesterday was Valentine’s Day. I could have wallowed in self-pity and disappointment. Instead, I attended a prayer group and celebrated a friend who is valiantly carrying on after her husband passed on just a few days ago. Also, I was able to celebrate this beautiful life with my son as my Valentine’s lunch date. We both laughed and shed a few tears of remembering. Tears are okay – they are the language God understands.
Remembering is okay, but living in the memories I am making today is what matters most now. My days are filled with purpose. I know that I’m walking in my destiny, getting to bring others with me on this road. Let’s remember God is in the “set-up” and APPOINTMENT business.
God has incredible plans for us, and the enemy of our souls would like to keep us from ever experiencing those plans and stay “put” in woe and distress. God’s purpose for us goes way beyond times of disappointment. In fact, that disappointment today may be the set up for HIS APPOINTMENT where hope is found, and a major comeback is on its way.
God has got your name on His appointment schedule. He’ll be right on time. Don’t you be a minute late!