Have you ever considered what it means to be made in the image of God? Most often, our ideas surround the ideas of character traits or qualities that separate us from the rest of the animal kingdom and creation. Lately, I’ve been fascinated by the idea that there is a functional aspect to being in the image of God. That is, the image of God consists partly in the desire and mandate to make something of the world. There’s a function that we must perform, a function to experience and create beauty, to give the world meaning, to produce something out of the raw materials at our disposal. So when Steve Jobs resigned as CEO as Apple, I couldn’t help but be impressed by how he fulfilled his divine calling (whether or not he recognized it as from the Lord). He made something of the world in such a way that literally the world is not the same. However, the road was not glamorous at all. He didn’t just one day think up the Iphone or MacBook or IPad or ITunes without lots of failures and risks along the way. In fact, as I read about his life, I realize that it’s because of the failures and setbacks – his desire to start something – that he was able to create and contribute the way he did. Here’s a short list of some of the failures and successes in chronological order. Note the risks, setbacks, and average-ness of his life before Apple stardom. Continue reading →