The Salvation Army has lost a visionary

By Major Glad Ljungholm

Steve Jobs, the visionary "geek" who changed the way the world looked at technology, has died.   This is the news I woke up to this morning. 


STEVE JOBS 1955-2011


 




The father of four started Apple Computer with high school friend Steve Wozniak in his garage in 1976 but was forced out a decade later. He returned in the mid-1990s and transformed Apple into one of the world's most powerful companies.

Despite resigning as chief executive due to his health, Mr Jobs said he would continue to play a leadership role. He was replaced by Apple's chief operating officer, Tim Cook, and took the role of Chairman of the company's board.

The pioneering businessman, who was the mind behind the revolutionary iPhone and iPad devices, had been fighting pancreatic cancer and underwent a liver transplant in 2009.

Apple's board said in a statement: "Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve."

"Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor," Mr Cook wrote in an email to Apple's employees. "Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple."

The news Apple fans and shareholders had been dreading came the day after Apple unveiled its latest iPhone, a device that got a lukewarm reception. Perhaps, there would have been more excitement had Mr Jobs been well enough to show it off with his trademark theatrics.

A statement released by Mr Jobs' family said: "In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family. We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve's illness."

What a man … what amazing tributes to one individual.  Reading these comments made me think of a phrase I often quote when conducting funeral services and I found myself praying it again today in response to a man I have never met, but in response to a man whose life has touched and influenced mine as I sit here typing on my Apple Mac laptop.

‘May his dying challenge my living’

Who of us wouldn’t want to hear said of us at the end of our earthly lives: "Glad's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enriched and improved all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Glad."

  … ‘The Salvation Army has lost a visionary and creative genius’ …

"Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Glad have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor,"

 "In her public life, Glad was known as a visionary; in her private life, she cherished her family.”

I don’t for one moment imagine any or many of these things would be said of me but as I read of this ‘driven’ man I found myself driven to my knees again and praying:

‘All my days and all my hours

All my will and all my powers

All the passion of my soul

Not a fragment but the whole

Shall be Thine Dear Lord

Shall be Thine Dear Lord’

Rick Warren at the beginning of his book:  ‘Purpose Driven Life’ asks the question:  ‘What on earth am I here for?’ … life’s most important question.  Answer that question he says and you will understand the ‘big picture’ how all the various pieces of our lives fit together.

The Apostle Paul had no doubt at all about the purpose of his life or that of the Thessalonian believers.  They were created for relationship with God.  This purpose, this holy purpose was constantly the focus of Paul’s prayers on their behalf.  In 2 Thessalonians 1: 11-12 we read:  ‘We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfil every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.  We pray this so that the Name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.’

In His earlier letter Paul had urged them to ‘live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His Kingdom and Glory.’  (1 Thess. 2:12)

Our true value, our great worth, our high calling is emphasised in Ephesians 2: 10 we are:  ‘God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works’.

In his sermon, ‘The Drum Major Instinct’ Martin Luther King Jr asked not to be remembered for his Nobel Peace Prize, his numerous awards or where he went to school.  He asked rather to be remembered as someone who ‘tried to love and serve humanity’.

Our names may never be famous, it is very unlikely for most of us that we will be world renowned and on the day of our death it is very doubtful that such breaking news will hit the world press as has Steve Jobs’. But, may his dying challenge our living and may we be reminded of the high calling that is ours and the purpose for which we were created.

Major Glad Ljungholm (from fsaof.blogspot.com)