As we continue our worship series this Lent and consider what it means to be a “curator of awe,” we focus on one of the most important elements for curating a life of spiritual depth: curiosity. The ancient poets of our faith and the mystics of old wrote prolifically about “seeking” as a spiritual attribute. Faith is not about certainties; instead, it is about taking the stance of humility that we cannot know everything and that the spiritual quest is what it means to be faithful: to be on a quest to discover more and to experience more of the holy in our lives. Staying curious is a condition for awe.
The element of curiosity is linked to wellbeing of all kinds – spiritually, mentally, creatively. Awe-filled experiences are curiosity-boosters. Play, imagination, experimentation, and even simply slowing down to “linger longer” as we engage with the sights and sounds and smells of our ordinary surroundings can add to the amount of awe in our lives. Curiosity resists easy labeling and classifying; rather, it invites us to deeper discoveries about life, faith, and each other. Let us pray:
Awe-inspiring God,
we come together this day because we need to be reminded
to see through the lens of curiosity.
Too often, we focus on being right instead of being curious,
and this closes the door to deeper relationship and understanding.
Open us to perceive anew.
Inspire us to receive our surroundings with awe.
Forgive us when we focus only on what’s wrong
rather than allowing the right and good to show us the way forward.
Be with us on this journey
as we seek again to marvel at your works.
Our first reading is from Janet Barker-Evans, who describes herself as an executive creative director, poet, writer, wordsmith, perpetual student of the world..
“If we allow ourselves to ask bigger questions, if we embrace curiosity about every aspect of what we’re pursuing — even curiosity about ourselves and our own bias and blind spots — then we can unlock the awe that brings us to new and greater levels of thinking.”
Weekly scripture – Psalm 8 & Luke 2:41-52
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