Open to the Spirit

Today’s word: “Curiosity”

1) Sometimes I think I am interested in too many things. I have a large pile of magazines near my bedside; magazines about art, science, current events, religion, music and more. I dabble in far too many hobbies, listen to endless podcasts and when I have the time, take a class or two on something that interests me. While all of these interests ensure that I am never bored, I know that filling my life with so many things is really about trying to calm my insatiable curiosity. There is simply too much that fascinates me in the world, and I am not willing to let other people do all the exploring without giving everything a try myself!

In some important way, this curiosity is a core part of my spirituality and my faith. I try to start each day by waking up in the morning with open eyes and an open heart and doing what I can to see life as an adventure. I try to see every moment as an opportunity to learn and to hold on to the sense of mystery that I find in the world. I don’t necessarily want to find the answers to all of my questions, but I do want to ask enough questions to know that the path through life can be better enjoyed when it begins with curiosity. I like to think that God is found in the process of paying attention to the world and through the process of learning and growing from our experiences. Or as a popular children’s book says, “God is in between.”

We are given an important message about faith and curiosity in the story of Moses and the burning bush. It is in this experience of the burning bush that the unique personality of Moses appears--he is a person with not only compassion and good leadership skills but he also walks this world with a curious mind. If God had appeared as a dazzling light display, or a fiery and thundering mountain (which as we know happens later) there is no doubt that everyone would have noticed. Yet, a simple bush in the middle of the desert, even one on fire, is not that unique of a sight and is bound to be overlooked. This uniquely fire-proof bush was a miraculous sight available only to those who truly were paying attention. To see a bush on fire and walk on past is not that odd, but to look long enough, to have the focus and attention to see that the bush was burning but not burning up, took a special character. This kind of ability to be curious, to notice and to pay attention to each moment and to each individual was the quality of Moses that God needed in the leader of the Jewish people. He was a man of faith who looked for this faith not only in the God “beyond” him, but in the eyes of his neighbor and in the big and small moments of his daily life.

There are too many burning bushes around us to see them all, but each and every moment of our lives has more than enough opportunities to spark our curiosity and help us grow.

2) I have always had a curious nature. I loved looking through encyclopedias and atlases to find new information. I remember how difficult, in my first semester at university, it was to choose only 5 courses. I decided to take 6 instead. In addition I also audited a Cegep course on science fiction that fascinated me. My friends thought I was crazy. However, in the quest for truth, curiosity is a valuable trait to have. A spirit of interest and inquiry, a willingness to study something new, has opened the way to progress throughout history. An apple fell from a tree and led Isaac Newton to discover gravity. Fascination about what might be on the moon led to space travel No wonder someone coined the phrase: “curiosity is the mother of invention”.

Many of the great Bible stories begin with curiosity. Abraham and Sarah were bored in their hometown of Ur in Sumeria. They decided to journey east to find “the promised land”. This adventure led them to the Mediterranean, then Egypt, and finally they made their home in what is now Israel. Moses was curious about a bushfire that seem a bit unusual. He stopped to check it out, and this led to a conversation with God that changed his life and saved his people from slavery. If he did not have a curious nature, who know what would have happened to his enslaved people. Some fisherman in Galilee were curious about a teacher named Jesus, so they gave up their nets to follow him. They got excited about his message of love, and traveled the world to share the good news. .

We live in a world with many social problems. One reaction is apathy, not caring about those other than ourselves. Another option is cynicism, blaming the victims for their condition. Others fling their hands in the air and give up, frustrated. A better way forward might begin with curiosity. Let’s ask questions and find out more about each human situation.

My aunt taught special education in high school and her students usually lived in poorer sections of the region. One day she arranged things with the bus

In some important way, this curiosity is a core part of my spirituality and my faith. I try to start each day by waking up in the morning with open eyes and an open heart and doing what I can to see life

as an adventure.

Many of the great Bible stories begin with curiosity. Abraham and Sarah were bored in their hometown of Ur in Sumeria. They decided to journey east to find “the promised land”. This adventure led them to

the Mediterranean, then Egypt, and finally they made their home in what is

now Israel.

driver, and rode with him to see where each of her special students lived, and under what conditions. Her curiosity deepened her empathy for them, and helped her become a better teacher. She made a difference in many lives, because she took the time to learn their true situations, and find creative ways to make a difference.

Our world needs help. There are so many refugees, so much abuse, poverty, and violence. Moses changed his world by being curious, and listening to the divine spirit. Maybe it’s time we did the same.

One word, “curiosity”, and two perspectives. What are you curios about??