In a world that prizes logic and applauds reason, making a decision that seems downright foolish can feel like inviting disaster. But sometimes, the choices that defy common sense—the ones your friends, family and maybe even your own instincts might label “dumb”—are exactly where God shows up.
Take my life, for example. A few years ago, CBS Sunday Morning featured Peace Fellowship Church, where I serve as interim pastor. The recognition was completely unexpected, and while I’d love to credit strategic planning or sound decision-making, the truth is, it was the result of a series of risky, illogical, and, frankly, questionable choices.
It started in college when I decided to forgo medical school to pursue divinity school. Trading prestige and a six-figure salary for seminary wasn’t just unconventional—it was downright impractical. Then my wife and I chose to plant roots in an overwhelmingly African American neighborhood in Washington, D.C., despite being Korean American and fully aware of the city’s painful history of racial tension.
That decision might have raised eyebrows, but sticking around after being repeatedly targeted by crime bordered on reckless. Our home was broken into twice, our car vandalized more times than I can count. Every time I wanted to pack up and leave, my wife insisted we stay, convinced there was a purpose for our presence. She was right.
The choice to remain—despite fear, discomfort, and a tempting job offer that promised stability—was what eventually caught the attention of the media. And had I left when things got hard, I wouldn’t have been at Peace Fellowship when CBS came calling. As it turns out, some of the most meaningful moments in my life have stemmed from what, on paper, looked like foolish decisions.
It’s not just the big moves. Years ago, when my wife was diagnosed with cancer, we discovered she was also pregnant. Specialists urged us to terminate the pregnancy, insisting the baby wouldn’t survive chemotherapy, and delaying treatment could cost my wife her life. But something in us—something beyond logic—knew this child was meant to be. Against medical advice, we moved forward with both the pregnancy and the treatment. Today, our son is a thriving toddler, and my wife is cancer-free.
So, what have I learned from all of this? Sometimes, you have to embrace what seems like a bad idea. Scripture backs me up on this. Isaiah reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways. Paul goes even further, calling God’s ways “foolish” to the world but revealing them as the very source of salvation.
Look at the Bible’s examples: manna from heaven so bizarre the Israelites named it “What Is It?” bread. Joshua marching around Jericho, relying on shouts to collapse the city walls. And, of course, God sending His Son to save the world—not as a conquering king, but as a crucified Savior. Over and over, God’s plans look absurd by human standards, yet they carry eternal significance.
This isn’t about being contrarian or chasing chaos for the sake of it. It’s about trusting that God operates beyond the confines of human logic. If we only make decisions that feel safe or sensible, we risk missing where God is leading us.
Remember the rich young ruler in the Gospels? He walked away from Jesus because he couldn’t take the leap of faith to sell everything and follow Him. His story is a cautionary tale for all of us: If we cling too tightly to our own understanding, we might miss the extraordinary plans God has for us.
That doesn’t mean every foolish impulse is divine. God is allowed to make perfect sense if He chooses. But if we’re only willing to follow paths that are logical and predictable, what room does that leave for faith?
So, the next time you’re faced with a decision that seems risky, unwise, or downright stupid, pause. Pray. And consider that the dumbest choice might just be the wisest one in disguise.
Editor’s note: A version of this article appeared in 2013.
