This post is dedicated to my paternal aunt – Juliene Afton Andrews Hill Williams – who suddenly passed away 8 February, 2011. She worked and lived in Silicon Valley for the last 35 plus years. Here are pictures of my Aunt Julie at her 62nd Birthday and with her "boys."
“A man boasting himself in a false gift is like clouds and wind, but no rain.” Proverbs 25:14
I work and live in Silicon Valley. Momentous things happen here every day – new products are invented, innovation transpires, partnerships and deals cement, while other companies are bought or sold. It is fast paced. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Peet’s Coffee all started here – as well as Google, Hewlett Packard, Apple, and IDEO. Most other companies not founded here have a strong presence – Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks.
Overall I would say it is not a God-centered, God-fearing place. Mammon, status and prestige are the principal gods here; the majority of residents will do about anything to climb the ladder of success and prominence. I have heard stories of business partners defrauded and left penniless, of co-workers selling out peers for promotions, of eighty to one hundred hour work weeks in order to gain recognition - people fight only for themselves and hurt others if needed.
Sad but true.
How are Christians supposed to act, supposed to live in this “dog eat dog” culture of nepotism? Christians are called to love others, promote them, call out their gifting and talents – how can we do this and survive? How can we do this and compete for the promotion we deserve, the position we want?
Simple. Let the God of the universe promote you.
I saw this principle plainly laid out before me in December. When we started discussion around a trips speaking schedule and forums, there were about 20 hours on the books – it was whittled down to 10 hours in the weeks before we left. Half way through the first forum we were informed “This is it – cram all the content in because the rest of your in-person events are being cut.” Um, what? We travelled 16 hours, have incredible jet lag, and are only allotted three hours to present ten hours of material?
My response was: “God, what ‘er doin’?”
It was like an enemy was pushing us back, holding us down, keeping us from prevailing. It was maddening but we didn’t get angry, we didn’t lash out at the unfairness, we didn’t whine or bemoan our circumstances. We made the most of what had been given to us and decided to ride the wave. We let God do his thing while we faithfully steward the little given to us.
Then, things started changing.
Can you meet with the head pastor during lunch? Can you speak at a Q&A forum? Can you teach for an additional three hours Saturday night? Do you have time to meet with so and so? How about such and who? Can you squeeze in a lunch with my buddy? This man needs to meet with you again – do you have any time available; he’ll take you to the airport if needed to be able to talk with you? On and on and on it went.
We were thrust from the back rows of the conference center (where the interpretation headphones were located) to the stage, head pastors office, and into lives of the business people of Cairo… without doing anything. We just sat there, in the back row (literally) faithfully stewarding what God had put in front of us and praying he would do what he needed with us while we were there.
It was overwhelming to witness, watch and be a part of. Behind the scenes God was stitching, weaving and pulling together a picture none of us could have imagined – and it was beautiful. It reminded me of a poem written years ago by my friend Mickey, called The Weaver:
My life is but a weaving between my God and me.
I do not choose the colors, He worketh steadily.
Oft times He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper and me the underside.
Not ‘til the loom is silent, and shuttles cease to fly,
Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reasons why;
The dark threads are as needful in the skillful weaver’s hand,
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.
So, go ahead, sing the praises of your co-workers, call out their gifting and talents, be the first to applaud their accomplishments – because the God of the universe, the sovereign, all-powerful, all-knowing, loving, kind and concerned God is doing that for you; even if you can’t see it, hear it or feel it.
Update
• Work – we have about 25 trainees in the US and about as many in India. Forums, seminars, weekly trainings and weekend meetings are the norm around here. We are busy!
• Life – With the sudden, unexpected passing of my aunt I realized, once again, not only how fragile life is, but we limited time to make maximum impact. My aunt was a mostly unsung hero but who, in her short 64 years, championed the handicapped child (pushed for classroom mainstreaming in the 1970’s, when it was unheard of, and obtained it) and POW / MIA families (inciting landmark legislation); headed the founding a Maritime Museum in Tahoe, CA; and was the first female in history to not only win an antique boat restoration contest – but the race across the lake as well. My aunt changed lives, challenged others, and left a legacy in her wake. How will you impact your society, your neighborhood, your family for generations to come?
Requests:
• Work – Nigeria visas to come through and for the spring travel calendar to solidify.
• Travel – Safe trip to / from Seattle for a close friends wedding the first part of March.
• Life –To be able to focus and work amidst distraction. It has been difficult lately.
