Dear Beloved,

Many aspects of the nativity story or the story of Jesus birth cause me to pause. One of my favorite parts is where we are told that Mary pondered everything in her heart. As ones made to worship an awesome God, I think we are invited to ponder. What causes you to ponder?

A word that has been coming up a lot for me lately is curiosity. Curiosity came up this week in a course that I’m taking called Trauma-Informed Yoga for Youth and in a book that I’m finding extremely powerful by Britt Hawthorne. A few years ago when a small group of Friedens read Revolutionary Love by Valerie Kaur, I was struck by her ideas about curiosity. 

How do you think curiosity applies to our journey as followers in the ways of Jesus? Jesus seemed curious to me. He asked lots of questions. A few that come to my mind:

Did you not know that I would be about my Father’s business?

Who do you say that I am?

Which one of these was the neighbor to him?

What would you like me to do for you?

Do you love me?

Jesus also took time to meet people where they were. He did not allow fear of socially constructed barriers to prevent him from sharing compassion and care. When the disciples wanted him to move on (no time to bless children or feed people who are hungry when it is already past dinnertime), he remained. 

I wonder if all these are aspects of curiosity.

What are you curious about in this journey of love and life?

You are not alone in your curiosity! You are loved and appreciated! May we use our God-given curiosity to give God glory and honor

Sarah

Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 

Matthew 16:15-16