A GOLDEN BOY, A GOLDEN CUP AND TWO GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES
Steve Jobs truly was a golden boy - the greatest business executive of our era. He built a company that thrived because his products were completely innovative in nature, successfully combining artistry and technology.
Steve Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October 2003 and was told he had only months to live. Later, through further investigation, it was revealed that he had a rare form of the disease that could be controlled. Jobs eventually underwent surgery, recovered and returned. (Here, we notice that God granted him a gracious extension on his life.) During another medical leave in 2009, he received a liver transplant. (Again, God granted another brief extension.) He took a final medical leave in 2011 and this time it became permanent with his resignation as CEO on August 24.
With his recent passing, much has been written about his oscillating career of ups and downs. I just finished reading an article in TIME by Lev Grossman and Harry McCracken entitled, The Inventor of the Future (October 17, 2011).
In it, Jobs, who said little about his health issues, addressed them briefly in a commencement speech he gave at Stanford in 2005. "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life," he said. "Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noises of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." (page 44)
By following his heart and intuition, Steve Jobs rightfully earned a place in history alongside the greatest American inventors of all time, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. What one trait contributed most to his success?
The one trait that was most evident in Jobs was his intensity. TIME says, "This intensity encouraged a binary view of the world. ...something was either "the best thing ever" or it totally sucked." (page 34) "...Jobs' insistence on a simple, integrated approach led to astonishing products marked by delightful user experiences." (page 35)
I love the idea of following my heart and intuition - my heart is the place from which my desires spring forth - my intuition is what feels right for me to do in the moment. I believe my desires are carefully placed in my heart by God (Psalm 37:4) to give me direction and my intuition guides me step by step. However, what messes me up is that my intensity to follow His direction waxes and wanes.
What place does intensity have in my life? By intensity I mean to give force or emphasis to something. Am I staying the course? Am I remaining firm under pressure? Am I choosing to intentionally focus? Am I persistent in following through?
With all of his intensity, Steve Jobs at 56 years of age still could not beat a death sentence. Even a golden boy with two golden opportunities - two evident life extensions - could not escape the loosening of the bond of body and spirit.
Scripture says that each of us is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets (to remind us that life is short and we must chose carefully how we will live our lives) - before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, ...and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:5-7). A golden boy, a golden bowl, a life with two golden opportunities to chose wisely that eventually ends.
The book of Ecclesiastes closes with a memorable benediction - one that I can lean into with great personal intensity, Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Just like after a storm when the clouds are swept away, Lord, give me a searingly bright vision of what matters most in this life. Keep me seeking after You with relentless intensity. Remind me that my greatest reward - my most "golden" achievement - is being the grateful recipient of Your pleasure when my spirit returns to You. Everything else is secondary.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
I've been thinking about courage...
FEARLESS
So little time on earth, so many fears to manage!
NEPHO.PHOBIA - fear of clouds
OMBRO.PHOBIA - fear of rain
SELENO.PHOBIA - fear of the moon
SIDERO.PHOBIA - fear of stars
XYLO.PHOBIA - fear of forests
These are just a few fears concerning nature that I picked out of a long list of phobias. What is a phobia? It is an exaggerated, usually inexplicable and illogical, fear of a particular thing.
By the way, have you noticed that phobias/fears do not remain static in your life? They either seem to grow and overtake when you are weak or diminish and fade when you muster up courage. Courage by definition is the strength to venture, to persevere, to withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. It implies a firmness of mind - an unshakable confidence.
I noticed when I looked up the use of the word courage in Scripture, there are many occasions when individuals are instructed to "take courage" or to "take heart." Here is an example from Psalm 31:24, Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all of you, who wait for the Lord!
To take courage means to make it one's own possession by seizing it, grasping it, clutching it. In Acts 23:11, the resurrected Jesus visits Paul in prison and tells him, Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome. Jesus steadies and strengthens Paul for the task ahead by reminding him to "take courage."
In Acts 28:15 Paul thanked God when he was greeted by Roman Christians upon his arrival in Rome and it is recorded there that he took courage. Here is evidence that even Paul, a mature believer, needed inspiration and strength. He was able to grasp courage for himself and make it his own.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but the conquest of it! God instructs us to take courage by seizing it - grasping it - clutching it. God believes we are able to do this! So why is it such a difficult choice?
As my husband, Darryl, says, "It takes a greater fear to cast out a lesser fear!" Getting into one's head that displeasing God - shrinking back from His plan for my life - rationalizing outright disobedience - is a far more serious concern than dealing with my petty earthly phobias. FAR MORE SERIOUS!
So... we make it our aim to please Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil (2 Corinthians 5:9&10).
Jesus said:
"Take courage, My son, your sins are forgiven" (Matthew 9:2).
"Daughter, take courage, your faith has made you well" (Matthew 9:22).
And then, in response to His disciples who were terrified, crying out to Him in fear, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid" (Matthew 14:27).
Yes, Lord, speak for Thy servant is listening! Help me take courage right now! Help me be fearless in the pursuit of Your pleasure and blessing on my life. Help me hold on tight to courage with all my might!
So little time on earth, so many fears to manage!
NEPHO.PHOBIA - fear of clouds
OMBRO.PHOBIA - fear of rain
SELENO.PHOBIA - fear of the moon
SIDERO.PHOBIA - fear of stars
XYLO.PHOBIA - fear of forests
These are just a few fears concerning nature that I picked out of a long list of phobias. What is a phobia? It is an exaggerated, usually inexplicable and illogical, fear of a particular thing.
By the way, have you noticed that phobias/fears do not remain static in your life? They either seem to grow and overtake when you are weak or diminish and fade when you muster up courage. Courage by definition is the strength to venture, to persevere, to withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. It implies a firmness of mind - an unshakable confidence.
I noticed when I looked up the use of the word courage in Scripture, there are many occasions when individuals are instructed to "take courage" or to "take heart." Here is an example from Psalm 31:24, Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all of you, who wait for the Lord!
To take courage means to make it one's own possession by seizing it, grasping it, clutching it. In Acts 23:11, the resurrected Jesus visits Paul in prison and tells him, Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome. Jesus steadies and strengthens Paul for the task ahead by reminding him to "take courage."
In Acts 28:15 Paul thanked God when he was greeted by Roman Christians upon his arrival in Rome and it is recorded there that he took courage. Here is evidence that even Paul, a mature believer, needed inspiration and strength. He was able to grasp courage for himself and make it his own.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but the conquest of it! God instructs us to take courage by seizing it - grasping it - clutching it. God believes we are able to do this! So why is it such a difficult choice?
As my husband, Darryl, says, "It takes a greater fear to cast out a lesser fear!" Getting into one's head that displeasing God - shrinking back from His plan for my life - rationalizing outright disobedience - is a far more serious concern than dealing with my petty earthly phobias. FAR MORE SERIOUS!
So... we make it our aim to please Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil (2 Corinthians 5:9&10).
Jesus said:
"Take courage, My son, your sins are forgiven" (Matthew 9:2).
"Daughter, take courage, your faith has made you well" (Matthew 9:22).
And then, in response to His disciples who were terrified, crying out to Him in fear, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid" (Matthew 14:27).
Yes, Lord, speak for Thy servant is listening! Help me take courage right now! Help me be fearless in the pursuit of Your pleasure and blessing on my life. Help me hold on tight to courage with all my might!
Monday, September 26, 2011
I've been thinking about surprises...
What A Difference A Phone Call Can Make!
It was 9:14 pm on a Sunday evening, September 25, when the phone rang. Darryl was in Idaho Falls speaking at a three-day Bible conference and I was sitting at home in Scottsdale quietly watching TV. It had been a wearying week and I was trying to patch myself together and regroup.
When I picked up the phone I heard Wayne Grudem's voice on the other end of the line. It is unusual for Wayne to call our home in the evening and as I listened to him he definitely sounded mysterious. He said he had someone with him who would like to talk to me.
My mind instantly searched through a database of who that could possibly be since Wayne mentioned he was in Virginia riding in the backseat of an SUV. A very warm male voice came on the phone and said, "Hi Holly, I'm Eric Metaxas!"
Here is the back story! Over the summer my book club read Bonhoeffer by the New York Times best-selling author Eric Metaxas. According to the cover of the book, it is the biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, PASTOR, MARTYR, PROPHET, SPY - A Righteous Gentile vs. The Third Reich.
Through unusual circumstances in his native Germany, Dietrich Bonhoeffer became both a theologian and a spy in resistance to Adolf Hitler and his plan to exterminate the Jews of Europe. Dietrich was executed in a concentration camp for his part in a plot to assassinate Hitler in 1945 just days before the allies swarmed over the land and freed it from Nazi domination.
Over the summer, while we were in Santa Cruz, the advancement department of Phoenix Seminary called Darryl to ask him about his recommendation for a speaker for our major fundraiser in Laguna Beach in March, 2012. Having just finished Bonhoeffer, I mentioned Eric's name. Both Darryl and I agreed that he would be a fascinating speaker but neither of us knew Eric personally and we hoped he would be a good choice. May I say, that this suggestion to have Eric as our speaker is a weighty one - and one not taken lightly in my world.
So, imagine my excitement, when due to a flight mix-up, Wayne and Eric somehow met up and were traveling in the back seat of an SUV together in Virginia - both headed in the same direction to very important speaking engagements. Because Wayne had taken the lead in resolving their travel difficulties, Eric said he would "do anything" for his friend, Wayne - even calling a woman in Scottsdale to say hello in a surprising way that would make her day!!!
I love the way God knows the exact timing of when to drop down into my life a kind of super over-the-top encouragement that sends a very clear message - "I know YOU - I know YOUR work - I know YOUR faith! Keep looking up and don't grow weary in well-doing, Holly! All is well and be confident, I am at work in every detail of YOUR life!"
In the gracious warmth of Eric's voice, I felt my confidence surge that he will do a great job for us in Laguna. I am excited about the prospect of seeing him face to face - having the opportunity to learn more from his extensive research about the life of a man - Dietrich Bonhoeffer - who determined to do the will of God - even to the point of death. A man who like Jesus - courageously and humbly gave it all.
Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12:3&4
Life is full of surprises and opportunities to see God at work! I am thankful that I matter enough to Him that He sent me a kiss via a phone call on a Sunday evening!
It was 9:14 pm on a Sunday evening, September 25, when the phone rang. Darryl was in Idaho Falls speaking at a three-day Bible conference and I was sitting at home in Scottsdale quietly watching TV. It had been a wearying week and I was trying to patch myself together and regroup.
When I picked up the phone I heard Wayne Grudem's voice on the other end of the line. It is unusual for Wayne to call our home in the evening and as I listened to him he definitely sounded mysterious. He said he had someone with him who would like to talk to me.
My mind instantly searched through a database of who that could possibly be since Wayne mentioned he was in Virginia riding in the backseat of an SUV. A very warm male voice came on the phone and said, "Hi Holly, I'm Eric Metaxas!"
Here is the back story! Over the summer my book club read Bonhoeffer by the New York Times best-selling author Eric Metaxas. According to the cover of the book, it is the biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, PASTOR, MARTYR, PROPHET, SPY - A Righteous Gentile vs. The Third Reich.
Through unusual circumstances in his native Germany, Dietrich Bonhoeffer became both a theologian and a spy in resistance to Adolf Hitler and his plan to exterminate the Jews of Europe. Dietrich was executed in a concentration camp for his part in a plot to assassinate Hitler in 1945 just days before the allies swarmed over the land and freed it from Nazi domination.
Over the summer, while we were in Santa Cruz, the advancement department of Phoenix Seminary called Darryl to ask him about his recommendation for a speaker for our major fundraiser in Laguna Beach in March, 2012. Having just finished Bonhoeffer, I mentioned Eric's name. Both Darryl and I agreed that he would be a fascinating speaker but neither of us knew Eric personally and we hoped he would be a good choice. May I say, that this suggestion to have Eric as our speaker is a weighty one - and one not taken lightly in my world.
So, imagine my excitement, when due to a flight mix-up, Wayne and Eric somehow met up and were traveling in the back seat of an SUV together in Virginia - both headed in the same direction to very important speaking engagements. Because Wayne had taken the lead in resolving their travel difficulties, Eric said he would "do anything" for his friend, Wayne - even calling a woman in Scottsdale to say hello in a surprising way that would make her day!!!
I love the way God knows the exact timing of when to drop down into my life a kind of super over-the-top encouragement that sends a very clear message - "I know YOU - I know YOUR work - I know YOUR faith! Keep looking up and don't grow weary in well-doing, Holly! All is well and be confident, I am at work in every detail of YOUR life!"
In the gracious warmth of Eric's voice, I felt my confidence surge that he will do a great job for us in Laguna. I am excited about the prospect of seeing him face to face - having the opportunity to learn more from his extensive research about the life of a man - Dietrich Bonhoeffer - who determined to do the will of God - even to the point of death. A man who like Jesus - courageously and humbly gave it all.
Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12:3&4
Life is full of surprises and opportunities to see God at work! I am thankful that I matter enough to Him that He sent me a kiss via a phone call on a Sunday evening!
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