I was sad when Steve Jobs died two days ago.
It felt like the sadness when John Lennon was killed. It’s funny, though most of us don’t know celebrities personally, we often feel a connection to them because we’ve enjoyed their work. They’ve contributed something to our lives and we’ll miss them.
But yesterday I couldn’t help but think of how many “unknown” Christians died the same day Steve Jobs did.
Missionaries who served for decades in obscurity. Little old Christian grandmas who quietly left this world from elderly care homes after devoting their lives to their families. Pastors we will never hear about in this life who labored faithfully week after week preaching the word of God. Faithful believers who loved and served who we’ll never know about in this life.
I thought of Carol, a godly Christian wife and mom who died recently after decades of being wheelchair bound and bed-ridden because of MS. I thought of John, a Christian husband and dad who cheerfully battled Lou Gehrig’s disease on his way to heaven.
I couldn’t help but think of my friend Steve Murphy.
Tomorrow it will be 2 years since he lost a battle with cancer and went home to be with the Lord. Steve lived his life for Jesus Christ. He was a pastor in our church for 10 years. He devoted himself to his wife and children. He loved and cared for God’s people. He was a real example of faith. He trusted God for many years through many trials, including his oldest son’s suffering as a result of a car accident.
I couldn’t help but think of the two Steves. And what matters.
Steve Jobs gained worldly acclaim, success and wealth.
Steve Murphy knew Christ and gained heaven.
Steve Jobs changed much about the world through his genius, from computers to music.
Steve Murphy changed lives for eternity.
Steve Jobs leaves us the legacy of Apple.
Steve Murphy left the legacy of a godly wife, believing children and hundreds of others he touched for Christ.
Steve Jobs received the praises of men.
Steve Murphy heard Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
I know very little about Steve Jobs. So I don’t want to say he didn’t affect others for good apart from his work. He may have been a loving husband and father. He may have given away millions to charity. He too may have left a wonderful legacy besides his work.
But thinking of the two Steves made me think of this passage:
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. (Matthew 16:26-27)
I want to leave a legacy like Steve Murphy.
