When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.
~ 1 Corinthans 13:11 (NRSVUE)Jesus Blesses Little Children
People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them, and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”
~ Luke 18:15-17 (NRSVUE)
These first few words may sound familiar to those of you who read our Friday email this week, but because I believe they are very important, I’m going to repeat them just in case someone hasn’t heard them yet.
We often think of curiosity as “just for kids” or as something that is not welcome in the church because we should just believe, right? But being curious about the world around us is a wonderful form of spiritual practice. We can be curious about our neighbors, which leads us to empathy because to care about someone, you have to wonder about them. We can be curious about God, which leads us to prayer, reflection, and worship. We can be curious about ourselves, which leads to better mental health, well-being, and healing. This fall here in Oldtown, we’ll be exploring, experimenting, and challenging ourselves to “Be Curious!” We will follow Jesus’ example, worshipping in curious new ways and asking lots and lots of questions. We’ll spend fellowship time in ways that encourage curiosity about our community, and we’ll be compassionate, making sure that Oldtown is a place that welcomes and encourages ALL!
Speaking of welcoming, our second scripture reading today–the one that Megan and Josh shared with us just a few minutes ago–is one we cherish here in Oldtown because it talks about the importance of welcoming children. And here in Oldtown, we know that children of all ages learn about faith by experiencing it and learn about worship by participating in it. It’s not something you can learn about in a classroom down in the basement and then, all of a sudden, be expected to feel comfortable up here.
Our kids here in Oldtown grow up in our pews, and the rhythm of worship becomes as natural as breathing to them. And they don’t just learn to sit quietly, but they learn to speak in public. And they know that they are an important part of not only our congregation but of the Body of Christ!
Friends, as we grow older, we often feel less and less wonder. We carry with us hurt or judgment from past experiences, and we are less curious because we don’t want to step on anyone’s toes or open a can of worms of some kind. And yet, somewhere deep within each and every one of us is a childlike sense of wonder just waiting to be released!
Now, I have to be honest: I hadn’t planned this way ahead of time, but you know how the Holy Spirit works around here sometimes! I think it’s quite interesting that the day we talk about children in church and the difference between being childish and childlike also happens to be the day we also have a rose on our altar, remembering and honoring the one-year anniversary of Janice Tondravi’s passing.
Janice loved greeting people of all ages at the door and handing out bulletins here in Oldtown. She loved working on mission projects. She had a fervent prayer life. She was passionate about our prayer shawl ministry, sending prayer shawls all around the world. And she would do absolutely anything to help a child in need.
Janice often told me that having children as a part of our worship here in Oldtown is what made worship feel real for her. Because, as she would say, our young people not only give us joy in the moment but hope for the future.
Now, Janice was always respectful, and she held very clear boundaries as to what was right and what was wrong, and no matter what your age, childish or inappropriate behavior was not acceptable. And though she was a small, humble, quiet woman, you never crossed that line because she would call you out on it.
I remember being at a meeting with Janice once, and I made a comment that I guess crossed the line in Janice’s book. I remember she just looked at me and said, ”Oh, Pastor!” And I knew, in that moment, that I was wrong!
Now, because of Janice’s deep sense of respect and attention to always doing what is right, I would never have thought of describing her as childish, but she was totally childlike. And as many of you learned at her celebration of life last year, Janice loved balloons. Whenever we had a fair or an event here at the church, Janice always wanted to have balloons because, as she would say, balloons make people smile, and they bring joy and celebration to ordinary moments.
I think that’s a great example for us as to the difference between childish and childlike. Now, first of all, a balloon itself is not childish or childlike, but the attitude that we have around that balloon is. Do we stamp our feet if we don’t get the green balloon? Well, that’s childish. Do we smile at the sight of balloons because they fill us with an inner sense of joy? That’s childlike. Do we cry when our balloon comes untied from our wrist and floats away? That’s childish. Or do we imagine that a balloon could help us to fly off to somewhere in Africa? That is childlike. While negative attitudes and bad behavior are often referred to as childish, wonder, exploration, imagination, and curiosity are childlike. Scripture says, “When we become adults, we put an end to our childish ways.” But it also
says, “In order to enter the kingdom of God, we must be child-like.”
CS Lewis, the author of the Chronicles of Narnia, which is about a fantasy world of magic, mythical beasts, and talking animals, once said, “When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty, I read them openly. When I became a man, I put away childish things, like the fear of being childlike and the desire to be very grown up.”
Friends, so much of the human brokenness in our world comes from a lack of curiosity. When we aren’t curious about ourselves, we can’t grow. When we aren’t curious about others, we judge and shame them. When we aren’t curious about the world, we are prone to destroy it. And when we aren’t curious about our faith, we simply believe what everyone else tells us to.
Folks, the word “curious” means to be eager to know or learn something. Don’t we want to learn more about Jesus and truly know God deep in our hearts? Then, let’s spend some quality time being curious, asking questions, exploring, digging deeper, and finding treasures that we never imagined in our wildest dreams.
So, brothers and sisters in Christ, are you ready for a new adventure? Can you leave your doubt and attitude at the door and open your hearts and minds to new possibilities? Because adventure is all around us! Curiosity is a choice. And sometimes, we need to step outside of the religious box that we’re in to experience new and exciting ways to live out our faith!
My friends, may it be so. Thanks be to God, Amen!
0 Comments