“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.” –Albert Einstein
This week in our worship series, Spiritual Autobiography: Growing Together in Faith, we are thinking about “Questioning Assumptions.”
God has placed a holy curiosity within each of us. From the time we are young we are curious about the people and places around us, exploring and asking questions. Asking why opens us up to new ideas and concepts. The question of why leads to wondering, “how does that work?” and “how is that possible?” Wondering why and how then lead to the question, “Really?” And when we push through these questions, we come to the exclamation, “Wow!”
I am continually amazed when I consider how people create breathtaking art or intricate technology or make new discoveries in the medical and science fields. These things wouldn’t have been invented if no one had asked the questions, “Why? How? and Really? But because they did, we are able to say “Wow!”
When something catches our interest, these questions come naturally. We are eager to learn and explore. Gifted guides and teachers nurture our curiosity. But others might perceive these questions as challenging, disruptive, messy, and tiring. If they don’t know the answers or are fearful of the change that they might bring, they might shut down the questions quickly and reinforce the narrative of the status quo. Perhaps we have experienced this or even done it to ourselves.
This often happens in faith. Faith is about something much greater than us—the Holy Mystery at the heart of all things. Faith spurs us to ask these questions that lead us to cry out “Wow God, this is so amazing!” which is worship. Often, however, religious leaders and ordinary people with good intentions, have hindered us from asking questions and consequently kept us from an even greater sense of wonder and awe at the majesty of God. But when we push through, asking our questions and challenging the assumptions, we find that God is even more profound than we imagined.
It reminds me of the images from the James Webb Space Telescope that NASA released in July. These images astounded and deeply moved the scientists and the many who have viewed them, showing “thousands of galaxies shining around other galaxies whose light has been bent…just one little speck of the universe” (Bill Nelson).
When we are willing to keep asking these questions, Why? How? Really? they will lead us to a God that is able to create these thousands of galaxies and yet to also know us by name and love us completely. How can we then say anything but “Wow!” I pray you will be filled with and never lose a holy curiosity.
Blessings,
Pastor Suzanne