Sermon On Blue-Sky Thinking

Börje Ekholm, a Swedish business executive once remarked: “I think we have challenges, but we have so many opportunities to get it right. I like it when we have a little bit of a headwind. The kite actually lifts when you have a headwind and doesn't when there is lift from the back.” James 1:2-4 confirms: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

A kite is defined as a light frame, often of quadrilateral design, with a thin material stretched over it, which is strategically flown in the air at the end of a long piece of string. It usually incorporates one or more tails which are specifically attached to aid stability of the apparatus. More often than not, it is considered as a child’s toy, but is also known to be used frequently by adults. There are several kite clubs in existence worldwide.

It is reputed that, in 450 BC, a famous Chinese philosopher Mo-tse spent three years carefully crafting a wooden bird to fly on a tethered line. There is some debate as to whether this reference is considered a kite. However, the earliest written account of kite flying is in China in 200 BC, supporting China's claim to its origin. The prevalent factors that enable successful kite flying are essentially wind, practice and skill. The more wind in existence, the greater the excitement and thrill for the flyer and the more achievement attained. The more skill applied, the greater the chance of success.

Life can be compared to flying a kite. It presents its own challenges. Wisdom and careful thought processes are often required to overcome them. Every kite is different and often new and completely different skills are required to achieve elevation. The same syndrome applies to life. This could be kindred to the art of “Blue-sky thinking.”

Blue-sky thinking is defined as the process of trying to find completely new ideas. It not only essentially applies in business, but to life in general. It is considered as “Thinking beyond the box,” which refers to entirely new thought processes that are not restricted by preconceptions. Good ideas aren’t necessarily reached by conforming to the knowledge of life as we know it. Sometimes a completely different or fresh approach is needed to achieve success in difficult or unusual situations. New and unusual thought processes are constantly required to continually stay aloft in life. If mistakes are made in its handling, the wind fails, or blows in the wrong direction, a kite will collapse and fall to the ground. If mankind does the same, then consequences may similarly occur.

To live a good human life often depends on the right environment and favorable conditions. Without these two essential factors, we have a reduced chance of success unless we have the fortitude and determination to succeed. A kite seeks similar circumstances.

Isaiah 3:1-11 reminds us: For behold, the Lord God of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water;

the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms. And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them. And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. For a man will take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying: “You have a cloak; you shall be our leader, and this heap of ruins shall be under your rule”; in that day he will speak out, saying: “I will not be a healer; in my house there is neither bread nor cloak; you shall not make me leader of the people.”

For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence. For the look on their faces bears witness against them; they proclaim their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves. Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him.”

Opposition, often encountered in life, and becomes a necessity in kite flying, can be beneficial in a strange way. It evokes challenge, requiring a strength of character to sustain a particular mindset and the fortitude and determination to succeed. John By, an English engineer once remarked: “When the winds of adversity come, remember one thing - kites fly the very highest against the wind. Kites don't fly in spite of opposition, kites fly high because of opposition. In fact, they couldn't fly without opposition.”