Curiosity: The Secret Juice
Riding a bike makes you feel like a kid again!
That’s a quote from my hubby, an avid cyclist.
One summer evening a few years back he invited me to ride with him. Not owning a bike, he raised the seat on my daughter’s, and we headed out. We rode about eight miles to a good turn-around point and guess what? The weather changed! The flood gates opened. Rain began pouring!
When was the last time you were on a bicycle in the rain? Yeah. When you were a kid?
Hubby was right! I did feel like a kid again. Honestly, this was the closest I’ve ever been to
singing in the rain. Laughing out loud and squinting to see, my heart shouted: “Yes, Lord!
Shower us with your righteousness!” I’ve long been fond of Hosea 10:12:
Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.
We had a ball!
And we began cycling together. A lot.
So much so that cycling often flips to the other side of the coin. It feels a little too “grown-up.” Grown-ups make goals. Goals involve riding faster. Going farther. Getting stronger. Arguably, none of this is bad. In fact, reaching goals and finishing a hard ride can be a satisfying accomplishment. Ultimately, reaching goals can lead to celebration. But rarely does this grown-up method of cycling lead to “singing in the rain!”
This can be similar for Bible study. As grown-ups, we set goals and work hard for attaining Bible knowledge. We read through the Bible in a year. We memorize the books of the Bible. We help our children do the same. Without a doubt, reaching these goals can be satisfying
accomplishments and tools to help us grow in knowing God. Yet, rarely do these disciplines lead us to “singing in the rain”… places of worship and pure enjoyment of God Himself.
In Revelation, Jesus tells the church in Ephesus:
“I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance… But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” Revelation 2:2, 4
In the midst of the trials and busyness of life, how do we accomplish the discipline of Bible
study in such a way to hold fast to our first love? Can Bible study lead to singing in the rain with Jesus? Is it possible to “feel like a kid again” with Jesus?
Believing in Jesus certainly takes us to being God’s children:
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3-4
What is it about children? Children are vulnerable. Their position is a humble one: They are
needy and absolutely dependent upon and trust others to care for their needs. Their faith and trust is simple. Kids don’t feel pressure to have all the answers. In fact, being a kid again implicitly aligns with the recognition that we don’t have all the answers and never will have all the answers and so we turn to the One Who Does. Feeling like a kid again with Jesus might relate to doing what kids do best: Remaining curious. (I talked about kids and curiosity in the last blog.)
Curiosity asks questions. Curiosity seeks answers. Curiosity is not in a hurry. Curiosity lives in the present moment. Curiosity notices all sorts of things. Rather than riding hard and fast to get out of the rain, curiosity slows down, even lingers. Curiosity observes the rain and how it feels. In the words of one “philosopher,” Bob Marley: Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.
One day this past week, hubby and I set out on our bikes together. Frankly, I was not “feeling like a kid again.” Rather, I felt old. Beginning at mile one, the ride felt hard. (Sometimes spiritual disciplines can feel that way.) Laborious. Long. Sort of boring.
Until something happened.
We discovered something new.
Pedaling from Akron towards Cleveland, we discovered a new trail. Curiosity quickly set in.
How far does this trail go? Where does it go? Will it take us all the way to downtown Cleveland? Can we find Lake Erie?
Curiosity asks questions. Curiosity slows down to find answers. Curiosity observes and seeks to understand. Slowing down, we read signs. We asked others for directions. Along the way, we noticed more things! Other trails. Other cyclists. Kayaks on the river. A sleek rowing boat with eight rowers cruising down the river in unison. The smoke of a barbecue. A deer.
Curiosity led us to meander 60 miles that day!
Want to feel like a kid again in your relationship with God? Learn to be curious with Him and
His Word. Research is suggesting that curiosity just might be the glue that strengthens our
relationships. Psychologist Todd Kashdan, author of Curious?, states: Curiosity is the secret juice of relationships.
Revive your relationship with God by being curious.
Simply Bible resources guide us to ask questions, explore and discover new things about Him. Instead of being too hasty to explain God or too prideful to think we have all the answers about Him and His ways, let's be kids again. Be curious, slow down, and enjoy being the safety of His Presence.
Oh, Lord, In the midst of trials, work and toil, we fully admit our tendency to abandon You, our first love. We plow through a spiritual discipline- like Bible study- in order to check it off our to-do list. Help us to become like kids again. Humble. Vulnerable. Curious. May we know and enjoy You and Your heart through Your Word!
Our new study begins September 9th! Registration for the Sermon on the Mount will begin soon. Several online groups will be offered. You can purchase the study book here. Take time this fall to get to better know the heart of Jesus and others.
Looking to connect with us? Are you a study leader looking for resources? You can always contact us here. We look forward to hearing from you!
Don't forget - a great way to stay on top of Simply Bible news, videos, etc. is by joining our Simply Bible Facebook group. Check it out here.