Steve Jobs Steps Down as Apple's CEO -- Tim Cook Takes the Helm

Wow . . . I just read the news, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. We all knew that the day would arrive when Steve Jobs would be forced to step down as Apple's CEO due to his personal health issues, but now that that day is finally here, it kind of leaves one numb and in shock.

The odd thing is, I don't know Steve Jobs personally; and while he is a very charismatic figure, I have always realized that he is just another savvy, shrewd businessman who understands consumers, and who has known how to meet their demands and expectations, which has resulted in his company growing very powerful, and himself growing very rich in the process. For these reasons, I have never idolized Steve Jobs like so many younger Macintosh computer users are prone to do; but I must admit that for the past twenty-one years -- ever since I first touched a computer in 1990; it was a Mac SE or a Mac Plus -- Mr. Jobs has had a profound effect on my technological life.

Considering this man's drive, vision, innovation and ability to create such a powerful worldwide computing empire, it is indeed difficult to imagine how Apple, and how we, will do without him being at the head of Apple Inc., steering the ship into the future. The future; that is indeed the big question in everyone's minds right now. Will Apple continue to be such an amazing success story, or in a few years time will it begin to flounder under the direction of Tim Cook, its new CEO? Good question. Steve Jobs obviously chose very wisely. He knows Tim Cook much better than those of us on the outside. Jobs is obviously convinced that Cook will be able to carry the ball. But will Tim Cook be able to generate the same level of respect and admiration as Steve Jobs? The bar has indeed been set very high. Time will certainly tell.

For now, let's all wish Steve Jobs the best with his health, and with the remainder of his life. He has achieved worldly fame and wealth; but as Jesus points out in the Gospels, and as I discuss in a number of my articles, when all is said and done, and when we finally reach the twilight of our lives, we slowly begin to realize that only that which remains unseen and eternal is truly important. Everything that this world has to offer us is insignificant by comparison. Allow me to share some verses from the New Testament with you:

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Mark 8:36-37, KJV

"And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away."
1 Corinthians 7:31, KJV

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:18, KJV

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
Colossians 3:1-2, KJV

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:"
1 Timothy 6:6-14, KJV

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
James 4:4, KJV

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
1 John 2:15-16, KJV

Following are some additional verses concerning the brevity of our human existence for your further consideration:

"The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."
Psalms 90:10, KJV

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."
Isaiah 40:7-8, KJV

"But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?"
Luke 12:20, KJV

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"
Hebrews 9:27, KJV

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
James 4:14, KJV