We all know the definition of disappointment as something failing to fulfill our expectations wishes, hopes, or plans. But the original meaning from the French in the 15th century was to remove someone from office or undo an appointment. To “dis” or have a reverse force on an appointment. Interesting perspective.
There is nothing wrong with being sad or letdown over misfortune, but next time we have those feelings we should ask why. Whats the true source of my disappointment? If Im honest its often pride. I had set my plans in place…my expectations…I set the bar…I put in place the details of what I wanted to happen…on my timeline. When those expectations, details, and timeline don’t align with my hopes then Im left “disappointed.”
But the original definition casts an interesting new light on this. The reversal of an appointment.
Its not like time stops when it doesn’t align to my clock. It moves on. But not according to my appointed plans. But who’s appointed plan?
In Isaiah 54 we know that His ways are not our ways. In Colossians 2 we learn that all things were created by Him and for Him. In Genesis 4 God appointed that Adam and Eve have another child, Seth. In Exodus 13 God begins to lay out the feasts and festivals at specific appointed times each year. In Luke 2 Simeon sees the child Jesus and declares that this is the appointed One. In Mark 3 Jesus appointed the 12 disciples.
A “Desiring God” blog referenced Acts 1:21-26 the other day. Imagine if you will. Judas was dead. The prophecy in Psalms told the disciples that he needed to be replaced. They had quite a few to choose from. It needed to be a man they trusted; that had been with them since the beginning. Two names were discussed. Matthias and Joseph, called Barsabbas. They took them to the Lord. Apparently no easy answer came. So they threw a lot. Left it to God’s sovereign chance. It fell on Matthias. Barsabbas is never mentioned again. Im sure one of the 12 was given the task of telling Barsabbas the news. Was he “disappointed?” Wouldn’t you have been?
Tradition has Barsabbas becoming a Bishop in the early church in a city called Eleutheropolis, 20 miles south of Jerusalem. He died a martyr.
We can learn a lot from Barsabbas. The lot did not fall his way that afternoon. He was dis-appointed for not be called for the position of disciple that day…but God had another appointment for Him. He went on to serve God in God’s way, in God’s appointed time. Im sure that dying a martyr wasn’t on Barsabbas’ mind that afternoon either. But again, serving in God’s appointed way for God’s glory.
Examine our disappointments. Might they be better seen as God’s sovereign hand removing us from one appointment to prepare us for another that is His…not ours.
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