How Curiosity Restores Joy in the Lord

Nothing delights me more than a child’s curiosity. Free of societal constraints, their eager minds question, explore, and examine. Curiosity provides the basic skill for learning about the world around them. As adults, joy-filled curiosity goes the way of all childish things. But learning how curiosity restores Joy in the Lord, reveals the error in hastily discarding this childhood treasure.

Welcome to Mindfulness Monday! Where we learn some easy ways to be more present “in the moment” at our jobs, in our homes, with our families and friends.

Learning to recognize God and what He has for us in each divine moment He offers. We acknowledge the belief that God is with us always.

We confess His presence is available to us, lifting our spirit and helping us with power and grace. Learning the art of “stillness” so we can hear His voice and view ourselves, others and our surroundings through His eyes.

the gift of curiosity

Curiosity restores Joy in the Lord because God wired curiosity into us. If you have ever done an internet search, scrolled through social media, thumbed through the newspaper, or tried a new food, you are afflicted with curiosity.

In fact, God encourages curiosity.

Jesus shares two parables about the Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew 13:44-45 requiring searching. Remonstrating with His disciples, He places a child in their midst exhorting them to become as children. (Matthew 18:3)

Employing a little curiosity, we can explore the reason behind Christ’s exhortation to His disciples. What most characterizes a child?

Innocent curiosity. No guile, passive-aggressive manipulation, or judgemental attitudes. Just pure Joy in discovery and exploration, to better understand their people, their world, and their place in it.

Becoming like children nurtures a holy curiosity which thirsts for a deeper understanding and knowledge of our Lord, infusing every facet of our spiritual lives with Joy.

While on earth, Jesus never rebuked any innocent inquiries. His disciples often asked Him questions and Nicodemous even sought Him out for a full understanding of His teachings. (John 3:1-21) Welcoming sincere seekers, Jesus graciously answered their questions.

curiosity killed the cat

Well, not exactly.

Long quoted as a means of discouraging unwanted questions, it tops the list of misinterpreted colloquialisms. Never intended for the use of discouraging all curiosity, its original intent provides good counsel.

While holy curiosity gifts us with unique ways of further engaging God, the carnal curiosity implied in the famous quote moves us in the opposite direction. Life-giving holy curiosity restores Joy in the Lord, while carnal curiosity leads to death.

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:6

Genuine childlike curiosity seeks God without guile or ulterior motives. Having a holy curiosity seeks a better understanding of God, His ways, and spiritual growth leading to deeper intimacy with Him.

Carnal curiosity fueled by selfish motives, lures us into sinful exploration, doubting God, and backsliding leading to spiritual death.

Exhibited clearly for us in Eve’s transgression in the Garden of Eden, (Genesis 3:1-6) we understand more easily Christ’s severe responses to the questions of the religious leaders of the day.

Tinged with doubt, pride, and ulterior motives, their curiosity received sound and severe rebuke.

A careful and open heart examination in the presence of the Holy Spirit positions you for learning how curiosity restores Joy in the Lord.

how curiosity restores joy in the lord

While as children, our curiosity flows freely, the older we become, the less curiosity we exhibit. Why? Because society fails to value curiosity.

Curiosity challenges the status quo, presents a threat to established powers or authorities, and questions control.

Over time we learn not to ask questions, but simply answer them. Resulting in a loss of wonder in discovery; and ultimately a loss of Joy. Sadly this especially seeps into our relationship with and knowledge of God.

But cultivating a holy curiosity offers an avenue of refreshment and renewed Joy. Try these easy ways of igniting your curiosity and notice how your Joy in the Lord increases.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:7

curiosity asks

God welcomes our questions when asked with a humble heart attitude. Filled with countless “whys”, “whens” and “hows”, the psalms teach us the art of holy curiosity.

God anticipated curiosity and instructed the Israelites in Deuteronomy 6:20-21 to prepare for questions from their children about His ways and actions.

Instead of placidly accepting situations, or scripture at face value, try asking the Holy Spirit to reveal new truths or change your perspective.

• Ask “why” along the hard paths to increase understanding of God’s ways. (Psalm 10, Psalm 22, Psalm 42)
• Ask God to examine your heart for areas of change (Psalm 139:23-24)
• Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into truth you may have missed.
• Ask God for help seeing a situation from His perspective.
• Ask for fresh eyes which see how to live God’s Word more fully.
• Ask for childlike faith to see wonder in God’s creation.

curiosity seeks

Learning how curiosity restores Joy in the Lord involves seeking. While curiosity begins with pondering things from a new perspective, it also implies taking action.

As you begin receiving answers for questions you bring to the Lord, consider seeking new ways of engaging God, serving God, and serving others.

• Seek an new place for quiet times with God-journal how the change impacted your time.
• Seek a new routine for engaging God. Try a different Bible version, change up the order of your time, explore a more intentional praise time.
• Seek new opportunities of service within your church, community or workplace.
• Seek ways of sharing God’s wonder with others.
• Seek new ways of engaging scripture- listen to the Bible instead of reading, set scripture verses to a favorite tune, try Bible art journaling or Bible scrapbooking.

curiosity knocks

The beauty of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:7 shines in the progression of the actions. Asking leads to seeking, seeking leads to knocking.

Asking initiates curiosity, seeking intensifies it, and knocking unlocks it.

As you cultivate the art of curiosity, persistent progression moves you to “knock”: opening or re-opening the door to Joy in the Lord.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

Knocking implies a desire for obtaining what lay beyond the door. Consider how employing holy curiosity kindles a deeper desire for restored Joy in the Lord as you try the following exercises.

• Explore your findings from asking and seeking for ways of making permanent changes and improvements in your relationship with God.
• Persist in prayer for the Holy Spirit to reveal God to you in new ways.
• Continue your pursuit of God simply for who he is, not what He gives.

welcome holy curiosity

Holy curiosity brings freedom. No longer bound by tradition, legalism, or fear, we draw near with childlike wonder to the Throne of God. Our minds open to the working of the Holy Spirit, we drink in God’s goodness in new ways.

Looking for more Joy in the Lord? Unleash the power of curiosity in your spiritual life and delight yourself in the Lord all over again.