The word disappoint comes from late Middle English (in the sense ‘deprive of a position’): from Old French desappointer.

Deprive of a position. Yeah.

This morning, I was notified that the job was offered to another candidate. I’m feeling good, albeit vulnerable.

For the past few weeks, I’ve thought about success and failure. I’ve asked, is it possible to be unsuccessful and still be excellent? And, if so, what does that look like?

I found the answer to these questions in Exodus and Deuteronomy. These books show the decades-long story of God’s people seeking a destination. In the meantime, they were challenged to live righteously, however unsuccessfully. For many years and in hostile terrain, they epically fell short of their destination, but they were delivered whenever they respected the journey: God’s covenant.

In a results-driven world where results are not guaranteed, it’s crucial that we focus on “how we are” when we have doubts about “where we are” because what we do is as important as what we get.

I poured myself out for this job application. I put in the hours to get it right. I opened up to friends, family, fellows, and my interviewers. I didn’t get the job, but I fought for it with excellence. God continuously pours love and forgiveness into us despite our outcomes. If I’m feeling vulnerable and determined, then I say with confidence that it’s a learned behavior.

I spent the better part of today in quiet. I’ve got other things to work on. A disappointment like this takes the wind out of your sails, so it’s time to start rowing.

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