Good Ideas

The world is full of good ideas.  They can be found in presentations discarded, in proposals unwritten, and in the conversations of young, old, as well as those in the heart of the game.  The world isn’t hurting for lack of good ideas.  Yet many ideas with potential, promise, and logic sit openly discarded.  There are so many of them lying around!  It is easy to find your soul staring in disbelief in one failure or more.  How could this be?  Why is this?  Doesn’t anybody see what I see?
 
There is a reality one must understand if one is going to participate seriously for any period of time.  Good ideas do not fail because they were not good.  Good ideas more often than not fail because of someone(s) fear about loosing their status or power.  It is as simple and as problematic as these two factors.  If you know this then you have an opportunity to do something with the problem, otherwise you are destined to fail and will, in most probable course, becomes discouraged.
 
The fact some worry about loosing his (her) status and power shouldn’t surprise anyone.  For many it is the primary reason for working and being engaged in society.  Centuries past have seen the same response.  Somebody does something good?  John notes a typical response; “If we let him go on, pretty soon everyone will be believing in him and the Romans will come and remove what little power and privilege we still have.”  (John 11.48)
 
Knowing one of the obstacles likely to be present gives you and me an opportunity.  We can engage people early in our cause – letting them own and share in the birth and growth.  This may not be enough but it will be a start.  Secondly, we can decide in advance to not accept the push back.  This doesn’t mean we accept it with resignation.  It does mean that we go into the process street smart and committed.  There will be those who fight; remember our cause is just.  We can make a real difference.