Get the Idea?

“Intelligent people are always open to new ideas. In fact, they look for them.” Proverbs 18:15

Here are some interesting quotes from people who were thought to be intelligent experts in their fields.  

"This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us."   Western Union internal memo, 1876.

"Stocks have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau."   Irving Fisher, Professor of Economics, Yale University, 1929.

"No flying machine will ever fly from New York to Paris."   Orville Wright.

"The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to nobody in particular?"   David Sarnoff's associates in response to his urgings for investment in the radio in the 1920s.

"The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better than a 'C,' the idea must be feasible."   A Yale University management professor in response to Fred Smith's paper proposing reliable overnight delivery service. (Smith went on to found Federal Express Corp.)

"We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out."    Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962.

and my personal favorite

“There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in their home.”   Kenneth Olsen, president and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977.

What am I getting at?

God is the God of possibilities.  The riches of Glory that He blesses us with is often an idea.  We limit God by thinking the only way He could bless us is with riches.  Ideas are blessings too. If we were smart we would be looking for good ideas all the time.  

When someone presents you with a new idea, or a new way of doing things, don't write them off so quickly. God's messengers don't always come in packages we approve of. I have seen a few women's ministries miss the boat completely because they failed to see the new idea as viable.  

Q4U: How do you process new ideas?