By Maureen Wright

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

If you have ever spent time with a 2- to 3-year-old child, you have surely been asked, “Why?” As they engage with their world, they repeatedly ask why. The litany of questions often makes family, friends, and caregivers weary, but this curiosity is an important way that children learn. Young children’s brains are developing rapidly, and to make sense of the world, they are naturally curious about everything. (Sanford Health, November 28, 2022.) As developmental tasks change, children leave behind the “why stage,” but curiosity is an important lifelong skill.

Merriam Webster Dictionary defines curiosity as a desire to know, as interest leading to inquiry. Cambridge Dictionary defines curiosity as an eager wish to know or learn about something. Common synonyms for curiosity are questioning, interest, or inquisitiveness.

There is a hit TV show, Lego Masters, that is all about wonder and curiosity. The show features teams of two who are given a building project each week. Using a wide array of Lego bricks and Lego parts, the creations are limited only by time, skill, and imagination. The “builds” range from pirate ships to puppet masters to camp. The finished projects are amazing, reflecting the wonder, curiosity, and creativity of the teams.

Matthew (19: 13-15), Mark (10: 13-16), and Luke (18: 15-17) tell the story of people bringing children to Jesus. When the disciples attempt to keep Jesus from being bothered, Jesus tells the disciples that those who do not receive the kingdom of God as a child will not enter it. Does receiving the kingdom of God as a child include curiosity and wonder?

Wonder and curiosity are an important part of transition. As the Presbytery moves from where we have been to where God is calling us to be, from known to unknown, we need to wonder – to be curious. Asking questions can lead us to unexpected answers. Curiosity opens us up to new ways of thinking. There is an intersection between curiosity and creating space for the work of the Holy Spirit. When we ask God questions or ask one another God questions, we are opening ourselves up to discernment.

Here is what I am curious about in this third month of transition. What resources does the Presbytery have to better equip its churches in their ministry and mission? How can the Presbytery – especially the leaders and staff – better listen to our churches and pastoral leaders? How can staff engage more with the churches of the Presbytery?

As the Presbytery seeks to discern what God is calling us to be and do now, what are you curious about? I hope that you will send me an email, a text message, give me a call, or post your questions in the response section below. I look forward to hearing from you!