BOLD ideas

This year, I’m consistently journaling my thoughts, ideas, concerns, prayers. This new habit also has me looking back at old thoughts. I recently came across this quote –

Too often we get God ideas, but we ask the wrong people for permission.  -Jon Acuff

It is from the Orange Conference almost two years ago. Jon spoke not long after a hasty departure the Dave Ramsey organization. His reason for leaving was never made public, but I don’t think it was pretty. Acuff was in the midst of a reset…a Do Over.

I love the quote because I’m learning how true it is. The bigger the idea, the more fragile it is at infancy.

As my 2016 Word of the Year is BOLD, I’m dreaming BOLD dreams, setting BOLD goals and praying BOLD prayers. The scariest part of a BOLD idea is who to tell.

If we’re honest with ourselves, we share our ideas looking for permission. We may not believe that’s the reason, but we want endorsement from those around us. There endorsement is our permission to move forward. It may be your spouse, parents, siblings, best friend or Facebook following. Odds are you are looking for permission from someone.

As you look for permission, remember this –

Permission equals trust, and trust is earned.

When you give permission to speak into your life, it must be earned. Too often we give this permission away too freely. We give it to people who don’t deserve it. We give it to people who don’t really know us, tear us down or live in fear themselves.

Everyday you have God ideas in your heart and head. Be careful who you ask for permission to move forward.