It’s been nine years since Steve passed into his heavenly home. I’d like to repost a blog that was posted three years ago (with a few tweaks). His story is worth telling over and over again.
It happened so suddenly. One morning in January 2017, he never woke up. The news sent ripples through the faith community and at the corporate offices he’d recently retired from. We were all in shock. Fittingly, an enlarged heart contributed to his death.
A few days later, they granted me the privilege of saying a few words at his life celebration. I asked the hundreds gathered for a show of hands for those who’d dined with Steve. Hands shot up everywhere.
“Keep your hands up if he insisted on paying the bill.” I said.
I didn’t see one hand go down.
Steve was that kind of person. If he felt he could help you in any way, he was all in. Loving others in the same mind-blowing way Christ had loved him. [1]
Even though he was a few years younger than me, I considered him a mentor, especially in leadership and business. He had a keen mind and rose quickly in his career to the upper executive level in a large corporation. This is where I met him.
Steve excelled at work, but he never took his eye off the loftier aspects of God’s kingdom. [2] He listened well as he talked with you, praying for insight as to how he could add fuel to your passions and gifts.
Being careful never to cheat the company, he’d use breakfasts, lunches, and breaks to meet with folks who seemed to have spiritual interests.
He and I often met at Arby’s or Cracker Barrel near the office. During one of these meals, I first experienced his touchdown signal. I don’t remember the exact circumstances, but I’ll always remember my excitement when he suddenly raised his hands and yelled “touchdown” at my answer to one of his coaching questions.
When he saw folks moving in what he felt was their “sweet spot” and making significant advancement in their faith goals, this was a touchdown. And he would not pass it by without joyously celebrating it with you.
I cannot overstate Steve’s impact on me, and I believe many others who knew him also experienced this blessing.
Following are a few things I learned from him.
Savor the Sauce
God was Steve’s highest joy. This was a belief that God developed over the course of his life, as he matured in his relationship with Jesus. Steve was always aware of how easy it is for idols to creep into our lives, but as time went on, and as his surrender deepened, his freedom in Christ grew.
With God at the center of his affections, Steve lived life with gusto. He was a gifted photographer who loved capturing adventures on film, especially with his family.
He sought to be present and to savor life’s moments. When we ate together, he loved to slather whatever he ordered with a lot of sauce. I saw this as an example of the exuberance in which he lived. Savor life’s moments. 😎
Defer to Others
I watched Steve, time after time, live out the following two verses.
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4).
When you were with Steve, you could tell by the questions he’d ask, and the ways he invested in your life that he really cared. He was always asking God for ways to love you and build you up in Christ. Some ways were so extravagant they could only have overflowed from the heart of God.
Learn a Person’s Passions and Gifts
Steve was a master at asking probing questions. When he was with you, he listened intently to you and to God. Steve wanted to discover what he would call your “sweet spot”. He desired to be a catalyst for you in something that activated your passions and gifts. When he sensed your heart was coming alive about something, he would encourage you in it. In these cases, Steve partnered with you to add fuel to God’s flame in your life.
Maximize Your Influence by Investing in Leaders
Steve was a leader of leaders. His priority was to invest in people who would lead others.
He was involved in several leadership development programs and made a tremendous impact among executive teams wherever we went.
From one executive at Steve’s workplace when asked for one or two ways Steve encouraged him in his faith: “Take quiet time alone to commune with God on a daily basis. Feel comfortable about speaking faithfully at work. You never know when you might plant a seed. Set individual faith goals and make them right sized. Bigger than a first down and smaller than winning the game. Make them like a touchdown and celebrate accomplishing your faith goal with joy.” KEITH
Be Extraordinarily Generous
Steve’s generosity stands out most to me. He loved to give, especially when his giving would encourage you in your “sweet spot”.
And he didn’t just give financially. He’d also give his time, skills, and possessions; whatever he could give to advance the kingdom or bring you joy.
Steve didn’t just give in ways that would have a wide impact. I was told he carried a glove box full of meal cards for folks he’d come across who were in need.
Living Out Your Faith in the Workplace
In his later years, Steve created an excellent video series on living out your faith in the workplace.
Check it out:
Living Out Your Faith in the Workplace
Prayer
Lord, thank You so much for Steve’s life and for his friendship. You made him intelligent and generous. Thank You for using him in my life and in so many others.
Thank You for how he savored and enjoyed life.
Thank You for how he looked out for the interests of others and invested in their passions and gifts.
Thank You that You made him a leader of leaders who had a tremendous impact on folks at the executive level.
Thank You also that he cared about ordinary folks and loved being a blessing.
Thank you for giving him a generous heart.
Amen
Reflections
A verse his son Jesse often heard him quote: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father (Colossians 3:1)
By reviewing SVF’s life again, I have new inspiration to allow God’s love to flow through me to every person He brings my way. And to radically seek the Kingdom of God above all else.
Thank You Steve!
[1] John 15:9-12
[2] Matthew 6:33
Note: Unless otherwise noted, all referenced Scripture is from the NASB 1995 version of the Bible.
Other posts in our Everlasting Way Series:
Learning How to Overcome Emotional Numbness
Are we More Like Batman or Spider-Man
Transforming Awareness: The Power of God’s Love
Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.
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Nonfiction books by the Author:
This collection of devotionals chronicles a heartfelt journey from a life of striving and self-reliance to one of growing surrender and trust in God.
Through personal stories of family struggles, cancer, grief, and unexpected trials, the devotions show that true, unshakeable joy comes not from perfect circumstances, but from the constant, loving presence of Jesus Christ.
It’s an invitation to learn to let go of our burdens and find growing peace in God’s greater story.
Because joy is rooted in God and is eternal, it doesn’t ebb and flow with the waves of circumstances. In fact, as we grow in our understanding of joy, we can even experience it more acutely when life is hard. Why? Because God uses trials to conform us into the image of Christ. With this awareness, which gives us glimpses of God’s greater purposes, we rejoice because of His masterful work to free us from needing anything but Him.
For these reasons, and many others, joy in the Lord is commanded in scripture. It’s not just a good idea, it’s vital to our journey as human beings. Rhythms of Joy
Novels by the Author:
What happens when a professor figures out how to send messages to his younger self to try and avoid the suicide of his best friend? Did he change more than he bargained for? Beyond Time
By finding two undelivered letters in an old shack deep in the woods, Cassie and Daniel unknowingly set off a series of events which uncovers a plot to wipe out a whole family. Hope Remains
Please Check out the Cola City Podcast . Discussions that impact the vision of reaching every man, woman, and child in a city.
