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This week Craig asked four great questions that really assisted my wife and I in thinking through some plans and goals for 2010. The question I’d like to focus on here is “What one thing do you need to let go?”

This was perhaps the toughest question for me to answer, and may be the most challenging to actually integrate into my day to day life this year. Perhaps like some of you, in thinking through this question I immediately started scouring for something in the past which I need to release to God and forget about or walk away from. Yet, after some discussion with my wife and quiet reflection, I sensed that the thing I most need to let go of is something in my present. I felt as though God were challenging me, “Are you willing to not be balanced, well rounded, and have it all together?”

As I probed my heart I realized that often more than being obedient to Him and the direction I perceive Him to be leading me in, I wish to be seen and admired as wise, shrewd, and one who makes the right decisions. For example, as a self diagnosed people pleaser, I’m the type who can take Ramsey’s good advice on finances or the latest author’s instruction about raising healthy kids and instantly turn them into action plans toward achieving the respect and esteem of others. The tangible benefits of heeding such advice can be outweighed by my desire for others to think that I “get it” and/or “have it together”. This tendency to prioritize (deify?) the opinions of my friends, family and Twitter followers makes this challenge from God an uneasy pill for me to swallow.

It’s easy for us to assume that obedience to God and living balanced and wisely go hand and hand. But personal experience, as well as countless stories throughout Scripture seem to dispel this notion. From God’s military advice to Joshua, Gideon and David in the Old Testament, to Jesus’ instruction to His disciples, to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Philip, Paul and others, this assumption is attacked head on. It becomes obvious that at least at times there is a discrepancy between the [humanly] wise course of action and God’s direction. I don’t like this. Am I willing to obey Him even when things don’t make total sense? What about if in addition to not seeming logical, obedience means I look foolish? I wonder if often I’m not even willing to give Him a chance to speak if I’ve already got the “smart choice” figured out.

Hopefully this post is not interpreted as encouraging a “throwing caution to the wind” mentality. I don’t feel inspired to live a haphazard life nor make decisions that go against common sense and wise council. I simply feel the conviction to be willing to do so if and when prompted by Him. I want to have a “nevertheless” attitude going forward this year and beyond. In Luke 5 Jesus asked the disciples to do something a bit ridiculous…at least ridiculous for a group of seasoned fishermen. He asked them to go fishing in the Sea of Galilee after hours of not catching anything, in broad daylight, and in the deep waters. I can imagine them thinking, “Jesus, you stick to teaching & healing the multitudes and let us focus on our area of expertise….The time you catch fish in this lake is at night and close to the shore.” But instead Peter responds, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” (Lk. 5:5 NKJV, emphasis mine)

God, give me that “nevertheless” heart! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this matter. Do you have examples of times in your life when God led you to do something that didn’t appear “wise”? What were the immediate and long-term results? What is your “one thing” you feel you need to let go?