I'm not usually very interested in the lives and events of the rich and famous. I don't follow hyped up trials and tragedies. They just don't really hold my attention. But there are exceptions.
I remember the night Harry Chapin died as though it were yesterday. Andrew and I grieved like a close friend was gone. We had enjoyed Harry's music, been to a concert and really loved the things he stood for. Harry Chapin was completely committed to feeding the hungry of the world. And to this day, his foundation is doing just that, taking proceeds from his life and investing them in food for the world.
Steve Jobs death is, like Harry, different than the average "rich and famous" person, different than most people actually. Steve Jobs was driven, highly focused and clear in his life's purpose. He failed and got back up to try again. He was driven from his own company, learned, regrouped and went back in. He used his natural attention to detail and appreciation of design to impact the lives of millions and in the end he impacted the world. I type this note on my almost 4 year old MacBook Pro. Since its purchase Apple has developed the iPhone and iPad, machines that are as beautiful as they are functional. Steve Jobs held a high standard for himself and for everyone he worked with. A standard of sacrifice to make a design that is both high quality and elegant, functional and beautiful, technically sophisticated but simple to use.
What would happen if we as the church had a Steve Jobs or two? You know, leaders that could see clearly what is there to be done and then were willing to hold that unflinching focus and demand it of others. What would happen if we as the church, could present our wonderful message in both elegant and high quality ways. If we were both functional and beautiful, technically sophisticated and easy to use. I believe God is at work in the Harry's and Steve's of this world. After all, every good thing, every true, loving thought is the product of God's creation.
Maybe we can't all be Harry Chapin or Steve Jobs, but their contribution was only possible because they were willing to be all that they were created to be, not trying to be someone else. But couldn't we each put our minds to being fully what we are supposed to be? What would happen if we were driven and focused to maximize our contributions to the world? If we desired with our deepest hearts to change the world?
Harry wrote a song, "I Wonder What Would Happen to This World". These lyrics sum up well why these individuals mattere Read them and see what you think, about them and well, about your own life.
"Now if a man tried
To take his time on Earth
And prove before he died
What one man's life could be worth
Well I wonder what would happen to this world
And if a woman
She used her life line
As something more than
Some man's servant mother wife time
Well I wonder what would happen to this world
Oh well I wonder...What would happen to this world
Well I wonder what would happen to this world."
I remember the night Harry Chapin died as though it were yesterday. Andrew and I grieved like a close friend was gone. We had enjoyed Harry's music, been to a concert and really loved the things he stood for. Harry Chapin was completely committed to feeding the hungry of the world. And to this day, his foundation is doing just that, taking proceeds from his life and investing them in food for the world.
Steve Jobs death is, like Harry, different than the average "rich and famous" person, different than most people actually. Steve Jobs was driven, highly focused and clear in his life's purpose. He failed and got back up to try again. He was driven from his own company, learned, regrouped and went back in. He used his natural attention to detail and appreciation of design to impact the lives of millions and in the end he impacted the world. I type this note on my almost 4 year old MacBook Pro. Since its purchase Apple has developed the iPhone and iPad, machines that are as beautiful as they are functional. Steve Jobs held a high standard for himself and for everyone he worked with. A standard of sacrifice to make a design that is both high quality and elegant, functional and beautiful, technically sophisticated but simple to use.
What would happen if we as the church had a Steve Jobs or two? You know, leaders that could see clearly what is there to be done and then were willing to hold that unflinching focus and demand it of others. What would happen if we as the church, could present our wonderful message in both elegant and high quality ways. If we were both functional and beautiful, technically sophisticated and easy to use. I believe God is at work in the Harry's and Steve's of this world. After all, every good thing, every true, loving thought is the product of God's creation.
Maybe we can't all be Harry Chapin or Steve Jobs, but their contribution was only possible because they were willing to be all that they were created to be, not trying to be someone else. But couldn't we each put our minds to being fully what we are supposed to be? What would happen if we were driven and focused to maximize our contributions to the world? If we desired with our deepest hearts to change the world?
Harry wrote a song, "I Wonder What Would Happen to This World". These lyrics sum up well why these individuals mattere Read them and see what you think, about them and well, about your own life.
"Now if a man tried
To take his time on Earth
And prove before he died
What one man's life could be worth
Well I wonder what would happen to this world
And if a woman
She used her life line
As something more than
Some man's servant mother wife time
Well I wonder what would happen to this world
Oh well I wonder...What would happen to this world
Well I wonder what would happen to this world."
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