My mother told me
that when I was very young I asked more questions than even the most
precocious of toddlers. "Why? What? When?" and my favorite apparently
was "How?" I wanted to know how things worked in the physical and
emotional world.
That
curiosity led to studying cultures in college with a degree in
Anthropology. And, I would say, it led me into ministry. I am forever
curious as to how our universe came into being and how it will come to
an end.
Curiosity
is the engine of creativity. When we are curious we open ourselves up
to the possibilities of new ideals. Asking questions is not only
interesting but it could be a spiritual practice. When we ask questions
we open ourselves up to new ideas and new ways of thinking.
One
of my favorite questions to ask a newcomer to our congregation is "What
brought you here?" I am amazed and often humbled by the responses I
get. Most people who cross our threshold are coming to us because of a
change or need in their lives. We would do well to ask that of one
another and listen in holy silence to the answer.
Of
course, there are those who are incurious, especially if they are
experts in some field. This has led to a great deal of stagnation from
the intolerance of the Middle Ages to assuming that our place in white
supremacy culture is the norm of what could be.
