Forward Momentum

It’s almost universally believed that tech guru Steve Jobs floated into mega success with Apple, the company he co-founded with Steve Wozniak. Job’s first go-around at Apple didn’t end well in 1985, when he was forced out. His next effort wasn’t a home run either, yet Jobs put his head down like a fullback and plowed ahead. Next up for him was founding Pixar and finally, more than a decade after his humiliating exit from Apple, Jobs returned there as CEO and revolutionized the way people interacted with computers. Writing about him after his death, Jason Demur said that, “Steve Jobs is lasting evidence that you should never count somebody out—even yourself.” In other words, even if someone pushes you back, you have to keep moving forward. Believe it or not a fellow tech icon, Bill Gates, also had to learn the hard way. His first venture with business partner Paul Allen was a complete failure, but Gates said many times in the years since that learning from failures leads to success, and Microsoft is proof of that. Christian Ministry leader Jo Walls has some interesting things to say to Christians who have perhaps grown too comfortable in their faith, and she addresses herself first. She says, “God’s been talking to me lately about being too comfortable. He’s challenging me in some ways that I’m not real thrilled about. He’s pushing me to grow,” and in fact, He’s telling her to ‘cheer up buttercup—life can be a grind,’ and that’s when we need to push through. Even though it can sometimes sting when someone tells us to chin up, it’s ultimately for our good. And let's face it—most of us know it feels good to overcome something really difficult. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” When your life is spent following Jesus, fear disappears in the light of God’s reassuring love. He has a plan for you, and you don’t have to walk in the shadows when God’s got your back. Every moment of every day is brighter knowing our Heavenly Father watches over us. The unknown doesn’t have to be cause for worry. It’s an opportunity for God to work on your behalf. Hand the details over to Him and wait patiently and faithfully for His good plan to come to fruition. The joy of knowing we can always depend on God is a message worth sharing. Let’s pray. Lord, we need your strength every single day. We know that some things just don’t come easy. Thank you for bringing us along the way you do. We pray and believe. It feels good to emerge from difficulty and realize that the strength you gave us pulled us out of despair. In Jesus’ name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world!