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Answering No

Today has been full of distractions, projects and planning.  I  find it amazing how quickly my mind can be redirected with just a slight change of the wind.  Because of that, I am slow getting down some thoughts this morning.

In the deepest part of  my mind I am still thinking about Steve Jobs.  It’s weird that his passing has impacted my thinking so much, especially since I have been a Windows user and Microsoft developer for most of my life.  But I think there are two big reasons that he is staying on the front of my mind.  First, there is not doubting his technological leadership has impacted my life in so many mays – from my the consumer aspects of my life to the way that I make money in the software industry.  The second reason is much larger.  It appears that Mr. Jobs was quite a private person, so but he has shared a lot about some principles about the way he lived his life.  I mentioned part of his perspective on death yesterday, but I also have found this bit on knowledge quite challenging.

When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.”

It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” Whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something. – Steve Jobs

The thing I keep coming back to is that I think I have a bag full of “No” answers where I look at the day and can very well answer, this is not what I want to do or the why I want to spend the precious days I have.  It could be that it’s time for a change.

What about you?

 

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.  Romans 12:2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

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Nothing to Lose

A few weeks ago when Steve Jobs announced he was leaving Apple, I wrote about how sad and shocked I was at the news.  I was even more shocked when I walked out of the church building last night and check my phone to see the tweets about his passing.

There is no doubt he was an inspirational man while on this earth. He created a lot of great technology, but he did leave some words that I could think have a bigger impact on people.  For instance this:

“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.” –Steve Jobs

I think that is really profound, because even Christians who believe in eternal life continually attempt to hold on to something in this life.  And he is right –  it’s a trap.

7For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.1 Timothy 6:7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Learning to live in a way that you believe you have nothing to lose is no small task, but I think it’s one that all of us should strive.

14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are justa vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.  James 4:14 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

 

 

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After Shocks

Yesterday I was shocked for the first time in a long time.  I was busy wearing a callous on my thumb scrolling through the tweets of the day, catching up on what was going on when I saw the Tweet.  “BREAKING: Steve Jobs to Retire from Apple”.

Wow!

My heart sank a little.  It’s not that I know Steve Jobs very well, nor that I have followed him very closely, however, I can not deny the impact that he has had on my life and my professional career.  I learned to program in high school on an Apple IIe and last night my entire family was surfing the web on either in iPad or an iPhone.  His innovative thinking and his desire to take risks has impacted the entire world.

That is impressive to observe and sad to see come to an end at Apple – although I expect he will not stop innovating until he leaves this earth!  His example is one that can inspire us all.  For instance look at this quote.

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. – Steve Jobs

Such a good basic simple thought.

So to Mr Jobs, I say thank you for your example ( BTW, I am not saying he is perfect!)

To the rest of you out there, lets to to Mr. Jobs as a source of inspiration for us today.  Probably for most of you the principle he states is fairly familiar:

“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12, NASB)

“Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17, Amplified)

 

Our God did not call us to be robots – followers of the Christ, but not robots.  Step out today, be bold, and impact those around you for good!