Why must we create a practice of curiosity, you might ask? Isn’t it holier to embrace the Word as enough and therefore be ensured it will effortlessly quell our doubts? Growing up I felt stripped of God given and designed spiritual autonomy by traditionalist and limiting faith systems. My dad believed that religion was something you passed down to your children, something they’d inherit. My sole wish is that more space had been carved out for my beliefs which were just as valid. My advice to you is to remain undeterred by religious leaders and teachers who attempt to scare this natural, healthy sense of curiosity from you. You need to follow this process in order to solidify your convictions and be true to the cause. Trust that you are greater than just an obedient solder who obeys the orders they receive, does what is asked and remains entirely self sacrificial.
As people we enjoy free thought, speech and choice. Unless our heart is in it, we cannot be dictated to, pushed, pulled, swayed or forced in a direction that we consider out of alignment. This is where the beauty lies. When we do arrive at a decision regarding spirituality, it is all ours. Pure, honest, authentic and all the more strengthened and long lasting because of it. Holding space for wonder and questions is not a perverse sin that automatically sets you down a path of depravity, no matter how it is suggested, verbally or culturally. Don’t fear being led astray or down the slippery slope of sin and evil. You are a person who walks in the light, face to the sun. This is what you know. Remain moral and let the philosophies of your life please God. Choose your company carefully and keep a small curated circle of friends, family and acquaintances.
Believe me, I know that it sounds sensical. Follow The Word, not your human heart bogged down by intense and non linear emotion and feeling. Follow the rules, not your curiosity, The Lord, not your ultimate sense and innate knowing of the Divinity within it all. However, aren’t they one within each other? Curiosity could never be anything but holy. It is the beginning of wisdom, the ultimate antidote for fear. The one birthplace for boundless creativity. The strength and energy behind problem solving. It is life giving, the very matter of abundance. In this substance you will find a wealth of grace, mercy, compassion and healing. As children we engage with our endeavours and a certain hunger is present. Over time we lose this, becoming ignorant. This childlike state of wonder and newness takes you through the gates of The Kingdom.
Jesus was once reported to have said this to his friends: “Let all the little children come to me and never hinder them! Don’t you know that God’s kingdom exists for such as these? Listen to the truth I speak: Whoever does not open their arms to receive God’s kingdom like a teachable child will never enter it.”
Let yourself be called to do that inner work, to reclaim that place of wonder you briefly resided in before the world beat it out of you. A mere glimpse of righteousness is not enough. Reclaim your sense of curiosity before rigid and unforgiving religious ideas driven by control demanded your unlearning. This is your chance at redemption. There is a part of you that sees through a glorious, unfiltered lens. You ripple with joy at surprise, colour, discovery. Choose to heal your wounds once and for all. Their infliction is the reason your eyes have been shielded from the unexpected, from change, for so long. When you carry around a higher sense of hope and purpose you can face the unknown, challenge it and even embrace its presence.
What does God mean to you? Most of us would agree that, above all, God is proof of love. We experience Him by loving and being loved. By loving thy neighbour, by loving ourselves, by encouraging greatness and flight in the people we care for. Love is what keeps fear in its rightful place so the Kingdom of God is anywhere love resides and wins over! To find it, enter into it and flow with the perfect energy of the Kingdom, you must be open. You cannot earn or prove or win your way there. Just following your calling, use your talents. Curiosity that is fuelled by a pure love, eagerness and striving to do more and be better can never lead you astray.
Curiosity is vital to your growth and stages of becoming, to lived experience and connection with Divinity. Where to start with the building of your curiosity practice? Engage will simple forms and stay with it. When you feel ready, journey outside of your comfort zone and begin truly finding your way. May your fears cower. May you tell your mountains about a mighty God who calls you child, beloved. May you face your fears, challenge them, laugh in their face, refuse to be shadowed or made small by them. May you approach yourself with grace when fear grips you tightly and refuses to let go. You will not vanish, fall to ashes, crumble under pressure. In these moments you are built up and you will rise again and again.
Commit to finding your questioning voice, an eye for wonder, some tolerance and a large appetite for surprise and discovery. It will serve you well beautiful friend. Dear one, follow your curiosity until you find home and healing, belonging. Your life is an adventure and there are so many pages yet to be written in your story. You’re right in the middle! Enjoy this time.
I really needed to read this right now!! Thank you so much for always writing such encouraging words. Sometimes it’s really easy to get too much in my head about my faith. And when other’s try to push a certain belief, my immediate response is to pull as far away as possible. But it’s great to keep that childlike faith and wonder, and just be curious to learn and grow each day. 💘