“Oh Wow. Oh Wow. Oh Wow.”

Perhaps it is a case of approaching something with overhyped expectations.  Or perhaps I simply am biased being far from an iHead (my moniker for people who delightfully dwell in the cult called Apple).  Perhaps I am just a no fun cynic in general (I have been accused of such).

But whatever the case, I just read the eulogy of Steve Jobs written by his sister Mona Simpson and was quite underwhelmed.  I had heard it raved about and posted all over my Facebook wall for days.  But I am not sure why such fanfare was attached to it other than its connection to a very famous man who guarded his life sufficiently well as to create curiosity.

If its content was viewed as terribly deep, I fear such a impression must be do solely do to the fact that we live life at such a shallow level in general in our day. Only to a culture of people that splashes around in throw away TV shows and thinks things like fashion are of great importance can any reflection on life and death seem comparatively profound.  A four-foot deep pool only seems deep to those ankle high in the kiddie pool.

The more I thought about it though, the more I became convinced that this eulogy’s current fame is based solely on the six words contained in the title of this post. “Oh wow.  Oh wow.  Oh wow.”  Six words purported to be Steve Job’s last words as he gazed past his beloved family.  Every interview I heard and every article I read centered itself on these words which ended both his life and the eulogy crafted by his sister.

People have allowed themselves to wade into the depth that these simple words created.  What did he see?  What did he mean?  Did he come to faith? Is there a glorious afterlife for all regardless of belief?

I think these six words connected with a universal recognition that only unexpected death (in this case due to his age and vibrancy) brings to the forefront.  It is only as death sneaks up on us or someone we value that our time on earth is revealed to not be as important as we all want to believe.

After all for his age, Steve Jobs according to his calling in life did more than most of us could ever imagine.  He changed the very way people interact daily.  He shaped what was valued by a society.  His products in the world became nearly as common as water. 

He was respected by so many of his peers.  He had millions of fans who admired him from afar.  He had a long lasting love with his partner Laurene and their four children.

And yet as his breathing became labored, all of that mattered so very much less.  None of it could offer anything beyond his final breath.  As the old saying goes, “You can’t take it with you.”

And as each person ponders Steve’s death though the words of his sister’s eulogy, that reality hits in a way that is much more about the reader than it is about Steve Jobs.  Each person knows in that moment that even the things we value most in life fade quickly away.  And so what it left to cling to?  Even the lessons of working hard, loving deeply, and seeking beauty can only offer their worth to the living.  So what in the whole eulogy really mattered?

“Oh wow.  Oh wow.  Oh wow.”  Six words that at least suggested something that could survive that final gasp of earthbound air.  That is what made this eulogy fly from one place to another.  A world so devoid of any real talk about life after death clung to these words of possible hope.

I truly hope that these words were not empty in the end.  I pray that the Gospel presented to Steve Jobs as a child was his comfort in his final moments.  I rejoice that God offers to those who go into the fields at the last hour the same eternal inheritance as those who have dwelt there much longer.

But regardless of what those words meant for him, we must allow our reflection on this to focus us on eternal things.  If you are reading this as one in Christ, seek the things that are above where Christ is seated.  If you know not of Christ and don’t not trust him for your salvation, I can simply beg of you  to seek out one who does.  Hear the Gospel.  Be reconciled to God in Jesus.  Repent and be baptized.”  Your last breath is coming quicker than you imagine and all who are baptized and believe in Jesus will one day say, “Oh wow.  Oh wow.  Oh wow.”