By Les Ferguson, Jr.
Columnist

During my formative years, my dad was a full-time student in Lubbock, TX, and a preacher at a small church in Vicksburg.

I don’t think he made much money during those years, but we were rich in love and family. Economically, I suspect we were barely at the low end of the middle class.

I only remember one real financial disappointment as a kid. When Dad was in school, there wasn’t money to buy a piano. I have an electric piano now and barely know how to turn it on. No doubt the world hasn’t suffered due to my piano-less youth.

The only other disappointment I vividly remember was my own fault. Had I stayed in bed like I was told, I would have never played with the wrong set of toys on Christmas morning.

Disappointment is never fun. Try ordering a burger in the drive-thru before getting down the road and asking,

“Where’s the beef?”

Disappointment can come in many forms, situations, and circumstances. You kissed the girl, and it was nothing to brag home about. You talked to the guy, and he sounded like an illiterate caveman. You bet on a politician, and nothing changed. The job you longed for wasn’t as described.

I had a friend who bought a brand-new pickup, and the transmission went out before he got home. Maybe disappointment is not a strong enough word to describe that situation, but I’m sure you understand.

It’s easy to be disappointed in a world that doesn’t perform exactly as you’d like it to.

Politics is one example.

For a second example, consider the opening ceremonies for the Paris Olympics. The timelines of all my social media apps are full of outrage, disgust, and frustration. The idea (whether accurate or not) that the Last Supper could be portrayed in such a perverted fashion (drag queens, no less) highly offended many.

I understand the outrage and the ugliness of the supposed mockery. However, it is very disappointing, regardless of what the scene portrayed.

One must remember that mockers will mock for whatever reason. But I’d like to know if there should be a different disappointment.

I wonder if Christianity, in America, has been practiced in such a way that mockery is a foregone conclusion. I wonder if we have completely failed to show love to those whose worldview and culture are antithetical to Christianity.

I expect the world to perform with a different standard. I’m not too disappointed in that.

But why do we fail to live in a way that honors, respects, and emulates Jesus? That’s a real disappointment.

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2 CSB)