S. Jobs | 8.25.2011

While I know most people are writing near-eulogies of Steve Jobs’ resignation, I felt the need to pile on the bandwagon. It’s the general consensus, including my own, that Steve’s role and influence will be exceptionally difficult to replace—mainly because his performance was driven by something greater than management roles and CEO duties; it was driven by who he was as a person. The latter half of Apple’s existence is an expression of who Steve is as a person—deeply ingrained values forged through fire—fire that the majority are not willing to endure. There are not many who get sacked from their life pinnacles and learn credible character and life lessons. The common response, rather, is embitterment toward institutions associated with the inconvenience. It is the blaming of others and the abdication of personal responsibility to discover and rectify the problems caused by oneself.

Without having read much commentary on his leadership ability, I surmise that Jobs’ trials helped him do away with debilitating remnants of self-defeating and interpersonally-handicapping views. And while it’s true that he was quite a developed thinker with uncanny foresight—before his first departure as CEO—I would go so far to say that, without his trials, Apple would still be viewed as the early-1990’s-odd-school-kid’s-fetish, if not viewed as fatally hobbled.

But clearly, that is not Apple’s fate, and as much as it was in his ability to choose, it is not Jobs’ fate. He learned the discipline and courage to creatively harness and express beauty, nuance, and technical knack to create products that many people undeniably love to use.

 A prevailing question being asked now is how Apple changed the world. The response gamut underwhelms:

“Apple lets people download music from a store”

“The iPad revolutionizes browsing the internet”

“The MacBook Air is the slimmest netbook ever created”

If these are our common responses, we’ve missed the trees for the forest. As a large result of Job’s prior hardship, Apple gave us an incredible story—a modern day narrative of boldly pushing beyond known potential, shattering the standards of excellence, and conquering adversity. 

And it is in this story that I had my God Sighting. The upside aspects to this narrative reflect, in part, how God has made us in His image. The potential He’s placed in us to accomplish great things, and the ability to undergo tremendous hardship and prevail, are not accidental. The desire to create, influence, and prevail are purposefully and wonderfully built into every person by God Himself, and are fully realized in believing the person and work of Jesus, His Son.

God Sighting | September 4, 2010

While at Starbucks this morning I spent some time reading, and as I read, it occurred to me, again, that Austin was full of entrepreneurial-minded people. I wanted to meet more of those people, as there was a kind of "aliveness" that was unmatched by many--an energetic, creative, risk-taking spirit. Later that day I had set out to hang out with my nephew for a while. I darted up the stairs of his apartment building and knocked on what I thought was his door. There was no answer, but from the door behind me I heard an amazing rendition of John Mayer's "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room." I wasn't sure if I was listening to a live player or if someone happened to be watching a DVD of a live performance. As far as I could tell, it was flawless, with a few stylistic improvements too. Finally one off-note tipped me off to the fact that it was indeed someone playing the song, and doing an amazing job at it. At that point, I couldn't resist--I had to knock on the door and tell them how awesome it sounded! So I did. The door opened to four guys just hanging out, with two playing guitars. We clicked on the topic of music, and when I heard that they had recently moved to Austin from Colorado to start a church plant, I couldn't help but think that God was so awesome in answering prayer that honors Him--I was literally meeting a group of entrepreneurial-minded people right then and there! My nephew joined us shortly thereafter, being just one stairwell away. We all went to Torchy's Tacos nearby for a late lunch, being greatly encouraged to find that their hearts were on mission to bring glory to the King, and that they were my nephew's neighbors at that!   

God Sighting | January 29, 2010

This morning I stopped by a Starbucks store nearby my workplace and rang up an order for a fantastic drink, only to realize seconds later that I had forgotten my wallet. A lady behind me realized what had happened, and offered to buy my drink.  What an unexpected gesture--it really impressed a sense of bankrupt-unworthiness on me in view God’s mercy, purely because it pleases Him to have mercy. Thank You Father!

God Sighting | December 10, 2010

My co worker, Darren V., stopped by my cubicle to ask if I could help fix his printer, an essential tool he needs to do his job, a job which everyone in the company relied on. He had explained how all day he’d been pulled in six different directions, and that the entire time his printer was not working, so he hadn't even been able to start his work day. As we began to walk downstairs, I said, “we’ll make it happen,” and immediately realized that I in my own power could make anything work, so I prayed in my thoughts to God, “Father, please make this printer work.”
 
We stepped into Darren’s office, and he started showing me what was wrong by printing using his normal process, saying, “so this is what was happening when I tried to print” and midsentence he stopped and said, “hmm, that wasn’t working all morning!”—the printer printed just fine!

God Sighting | June 10, 2010

I'd begun to realize that I hadn't had many people as guests to my apartment lately, and asked the Lord last Saturday if He would let me meet someone who very much enjoyed coming over to the apartment, as quite a handful of people I frequently interact with are unable to visit regularly, if at all, due to family or distance. Yesterday I had asked the Lord to let me meet someone who enjoyed coming over to the apartment. That very day I had met up with someone to practice a song for a wedding. He and his wife live in the premiere apartment community in Austin, and so today when that same person came over to pick something up from my apartment, he surprised me by making several unsolicited comments regarding how much he really liked the apartment and its surroundings. My prayer is that the Lord would forge this into a kingdom-based, encouraging relationship.

God Sighting | April 26, 2010

Asked the Lord this morning to help show me how to start a work-related, centralized information search site utilizing Google. The night before, I considered some options, however, those Google options required money. As the work day wore on, I explored the extent to which the already installed (and free) Google toolbar could be utilized. It was already capable of doing what we needed it to do! God's resourcefulness and creativity never cease to leave me in awe. I am privileged to know and follow the One who is the source of all ingenuity and creativity.

God Sighting | April 20, 2010

Christopher K., a former junior high student (now college-aged) I used to hang out with, called on accident during my lunch break. We quickly reconnected, and he began sharing his doubts and questions about God and His reality. Because I was on a lunch break and ran out of time to talk, I called Chris again later that night. Great conversation ensued, with opportunities to respond to honest questions and share about God's real power with someone who I could almost view as a dear son.

God Sighting | June 6, 2010

This morning I asked the Lord if I could have a Starbucks drink in order to better serve the people I was working with today, namely my supervisor and vice president, as we had a very pivotal and complex report to construct that day. I arrived at 7:30am and worked through lunch until the report's completion at around 2:30pm. The vice president asked me if I had taken a break, to which I replied that I had not, but that I was going to wonder off to Starbucks for a while. "I'll buy," she responded, "just get one for me too!" So off to Starbucks I went, knowing that the Lord provided in order that I might both enjoy the drink and serve my co workers better as a result.

God Sighting | August, 2007

While interning at my local church’s youth group, I was delegated to preach a sermon relating to ‘Building the foundation of one’s life on the Rock versus the Sand.’ The night before I was to deliver the sermon, I stayed up late doing some small edits and practicing delivery—needless to say, I was pretty tired by the time I went to bed. At the crack of dawn the next morning, I was driving to the church campus and still felt pretty tired. “Starbucks would definitely be great right about now,” I thought to myself. The only problem was that I didn’t have time to stop by Starbucks, and in my year and a half internship stint, no one had ever brought me a Starbucks drink on a Sunday morning—more likely than not, I knew I would not get a Starbucks drink today. Then I remembered, “Hey, isn’t God able to do anything (according to His will)?” So I prayed, “Father, I’m really tired. I know this seems really impossible, but I’m going to ask anyway because You can do anything. Can I have a Starbuck’s drink to keep me a little more energized and awake in delivering this sermon?” And with that, I continued off the freeway exit, drove down the long, morning tinted oak-lined road and arrived at my church’s parking lot. About 20 minutes later, I was doing some prep work when I received a call from a high school student from our youth group with a peculiar announcement, “Hey Nate! I’m riding my bike to church today and I’m stopping by Starbucks, whaddya want???” Needless to say, I was blown away by God’s attention to even seemingly insignificant details, like a Starbuck’s drink. I didn’t realize that the God of the universe would bother Himself with those details; how much more would he be concerned about the bigger things?

God Sighting | October 10, 2009

Since my trip to Germany, I've had an acute sense of my need, among other things, to genuinely connect and surround myself with those who are clearly aiming for the same goal, with whom we can be mutually, powerfully, and regularly encouraged, in order to "hear the word of God and do it." So to fulfill the "mutually" part of that directive, today I had but one goal: to reorient and simply be satisfied with God in His word. Once again, I headed out to Mozart's Cafe. But before I had finished reading one paragraph, I got a call from an old friend, Jaron, in which the main point of the call quickly turned into many points, all of them fascinating--full of God's hope touching the lives of those who are helpless, in poverty and darkness. It was one of those conversations that I'd definitely call "blessed, exceptionally encouraging, and full of grace." After the phone call, I got some great reading in for about an hour and a half, and noticed that there was a Bible on the table of the guy next to me. I had been wrestling with a question that had come up in my reading, and asked him about it. What started off as an inquiry with Matt into a small question ended up a near five hour conversation that touched on Jesus, the journeys He'd taken us both on, similarities and differences in the lessons learned, and much more--all of it incredibly encouraging and edifying (and, oddly enough, we share the same birthday).

Thank You, Father, for affirming the Way.

God Sighting | September 28, 2009

Life's been quite a conglomeration of work and travel lately, with the latest trip being to Germany for a short, 3-full-day stint.

About a month a half ago, I bought plane tickets to be a part of my friend's wedding reception in Germany, sensing that I should go, but immediately cancelled the tickets the next day, seeing that I couldn't afford the trip with the onslaught of apartment rental and auto mechanic bills. Last weekend, however, as I was sitting at Johannes' wedding rehearsal, I was overcome and compelled with the sense that I should go--that it was one of those decisions with which I would look back with intense regret for not having gone, or intense gratitude that I had gone--that either God was telling me to go, or that I was going crazy. So that very night I made a point to search for and purchase plane tickets for an international flight that would depart just five days later. "God," I mentally spoke, "if this is really You telling me to go to Germany, then I will buy a ticket, no matter what the cost." The ticket that I found ended up being $80 less than the ticket I bought month prior. That was the first confirmation of God's hand in it all. The second confirmation I needed was the fact that I needed to get time off of work--if not, quitting may have been an option I was willing to consider. It was Friday night, and I would not be back at the work place until Monday. I felt like Ester or Nehemiah, making a request before the king (or in this case, my boss), just praying that God would grant me favor for time off with such short notice. I made the request the following Monday, and it was granted--Austin to Germany in three more days.

It was a trip of much needed rest and respite; I didn't realize how badly I needed it until I was there. It was a weekend where God gave me the precious rarity of placing "life-as-I've-known-it" on pause, midst a hectic conglomeration of work, church commitments, sin, and procrastination. As a result of the short, three day stay in Germany, I had much more opportunity to reflect in an environment that is both rich in relationship, yet full of autonomy. Incredibly peaceful--outside I saw the greenest fields, forest, and German-style country houses, all to a backdrop of a slow, sun-setting sky. Up till now, I'd known that things needed to change back in Austin, yet I'd rarely caught my breath enough to parse out what this change might look like. Now I was able. I had the chance to make a list of changes--resolves--of habits, things to start, and things to stop, that must take place upon arriving to Austin, for the Kingdom's sake.

God Sighting | August 1, 2009

Had an entire afternoon-through-evening seafood smörgåsbord at my cousin's house today. Her family comes from a religious background, but the reality of Jesus seems far from their lives. They had a guest named Gene, who was a pretty interesting guy to talk with--a former McKinsey partner and CEO of multiple companies. It was fascinating to speak with him about his experiences and line of study--Organizational Development and Communication. The food was delicious, and as for the conversation, Gene unexpectedly shifted the conversation toward thoughts about God, His reality, and what He is like--not once, but twice. At first, I thought it was a passing comment, but when Gene brought it up again, I thought, "Ok, this is the real deal. He's really interested in this stuff." Needless to say, more interesting conversation ensued.

Back in January of 2008, my holistic prayer was that God would develop and grow me (by any means necessary) to be in positions of influence whereby I would be able to influence other people in positions of influence for the Gospel's sake. It's been interesting to see glimpses of how He's been working this out, for His glory.

Another seed planted.

God Sighting | May 2, 2009

Once again at Mozart's Cafe, I was with some friends when I felt drawn to go to the edge of the water and observe what God was doing with the sky around me. As I leaned over the railing with coffee in hand, God was displaying His handiwork and opened my heart to perceive His presence in it all. It was as if time itself slowed, flowing as sweet as honey, as I gazed at the blue, pink and yellow-hued sky with its setting sun. My gaze alternately fell upon the waters, illuminated by the dazzling display above. I felt like I should gaze closer into the water to look for fish, and saw a team of three fish swim by in synchrony. The turtles even made an appearance, gradually wading their way toward where I stood, then continuing on. The depths of my soul drank in the captivating palette of colors and life that the Lord was orchestrating in that very moment. I couldn't help but literally applaud His outstanding work after it all passed, just as I applaud it right now.

Lord, burn and sear this memory into my very heart and soul, so that when clouds hang on the horizon and storms blow, that I would recall, with precise vividness, how glorious and awesome your goodness remains.

God Sighting | May 9, 2009

I was reading a compilation of A.W. Tozer's sermons titled "Whatever Happened to Worship?" and came across a passage that arrested me in my tracks and brought me to the point of tears:

You have read of Blaise Pascal, the famous 17th century French scientist often classed as one of the six great thinkers of all time. He was considered a genius in mathematics, and his scientific inquiry was broad. He was a philosopher and a writer, but best of all, he experienced a personal, overhwelming encounter with God one night that changed his life.

Pascal wrote on a piece of paper a brief account of his experience, folder the paper and kept it in a pocket close to his heart, apparently as a reminder of what he had felt. Those who attending him at his death found the worn, creased paper. In Pascal's own hand it read:

"From about half-past ten and night to about half-after midnight--fire! O God of abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob--not the God of the philosophers and the wise. The God of Jesus Christ who can be known only in the ways of the Gospel. Security--feeling--peace--joy--tears of joy. Amen."

...The living God had broken through and beyond all that was human and intellectual and philosophical. The astonished Pascal could only describe in one word the visitation in his spirit: "Fire!" (90 & 91)

Father, You met Pascal 354 years ago just like You wonderfully and graciously met me nine years ago in what I have only been able to describe, like Pascal, as "a massively overwhelming sense of Your power, peace, love, and security as I broke down in tears, not caring who was around me." Words to define Your greatness have since eluded me.

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." -Jesus (Luke 15:10)

God Sighting | May 2, 2009

A week ago I was "volunteered" to create a poster for The City Community Church that supplemented an event aiming to connect with people who frequently walk by with dogs before the service. I went to Mozart's Cafe on Friday night to start and complete the project, and invited my friend, Hogan, to join.

I'd never created anything on this scale before, and let alone for this kind of an audience. Hours passed with little to show. I started to get a little concerned that if I didn't start something soon, I would never finish. I prayed that God would give me ideas to create this poster, and that it would bring glory to Him. Midnight was approaching fast, and about 30 minutes before we were going to leave, Hogan had a flurry of inspiration. "Hey it would be cool if you tried this...hey it would also be neat if you did this...now this..." I confess that my initial reaction, being the "designer," was that I should have been the one with the ideas, not Hogan. But not having anything else to go on, I obliged. As we implemented his ideas, I began to see that they were very, very good.

What saving grace from God! And answer to prayer! What a reminder that the burden of creativity does not lie with me, but with Him. It is Good to know that wherever there is a desire to glorify Jesus in a way that calls upon creativity, God will provide His creativity--whatever source it might come from--to honor that desire.