Tropical storms, job rejections, sickness, and spoiled meat. Maybe you’ve had a difficult week too. I’ve felt the frustration, anger, and exasperation that goes with all that, but I seem to always come back to a single question: Why? Why is this happening, God? I don’t mean it as a rhetorical question like some people do. I truly want to know what in the world God is doing. It’s based on wholehearted curiosity.
Anyone who knows me well has probably heard me joke about having three volumes in my “Questions For God” book set. I don’t have actual books with my questions for God listed, but I probably have that many questions for Him when I get to heaven. I smile and tell people that they can be glad we’ll know all things when we get there because I pity anyone wasting their eternity standing behind me in line to ask God questions. All joking aside, I tend to be curious and unafraid to ask questions I can’t always answer.
The Wisdom of Curiosity
Last night I heard a quote from the theologian named Frederick Beechner. He said, “To be wise is to be eternally curious.” So many people talk about wise actions. Most Christians will agree that knowing intellectual facts does not equal Godly wisdom. No doubt that Godly wisdom does lead to wise Godly actions. But few people look at the attitude that preceded the action. If you have (or have had) teenagers or tweenagers, you will agree that attitude is everything.
Having an attitude of curiosity puts everything into a different perspective. When things go wrong, it is so easy to become reactionary and ask God why with an attitude of anger, bitterness, or resentment. But the wholeheartedly curious spirit steps back to examine what God is doing through those negative circumstances and asks God why in sincerity.
Wholehearted curiosity comes to God ready to listen and see things from His perspective. It is only by seeing things from God’s perspective that we can make choices and act with Godly wisdom. This includes seeing other people from God’s perspective. It’s convicting to stop and think about how often I see people from my own perspective and not as someone created in the image of God whom He loves.
The Spirit of Curiosity
This is one of those challenging characteristics of Christian discipleship that is easier said than done. It’s also a characteristic that is best seen in hindsight. I suppose that’s why Jesus told His disciples that “wisdom is proven right by her children.” (Luke 7:35)
Wisdom also has to come through humility. There have been a number of times when I realized I had made a wise choice but instantly realized it had nothing to do with me. On my own, I would never have made the same choices. Wisdom is one of those characteristics that can’t survive alongside pride.
So this week I’m faced with a choice between pride and frustration or being curious about what God is doing and how He intends to work all this out. He does intend to work things out (Romans 8:28). Maybe not the way I think He should, but He will work things out to glorify Him.
While it helps to have a curious spirit to begin with, the truth is that anyone can be wholeheartedly curious coming into the presence of God. Yet I am challenged daily to put aside my pride and frustration, my sense of justice, and my preconceived ideas to come before God with a teachable, wholeheartedly curious spirit.
