Kids have an insatiable curiosity about the world around them – constantly wanting to know why things are the way they are. Unfortunately, we tend to lose this desire as we get older. But there is still wisdom in keep asking why.
There’s no expectation for kids to know how life works. And they’re unashamed to ask why a thousand times.
Perhaps it’s our pride that keeps us from asking as we grow older. We don’t want to appear ignorant.
Or maybe we’ve discovered the bliss of ignorance and simply following the crowd. The more we know the more will be required of us. And certainly life is often easier not knowing.
But it’s through questioning and exploring that we learn and grow.
The fear of appearing ignorant actually keeps us ignorant. And we sell ourselves short when we become passive and lazy.
We discover the more God has for us when we keep asking why. And this can play out in big and small ways.
For example, we might simply ask why we take our particular route to work. The point is not to change our route, but to understand why we do what we do.
Why do we work at the job and live in the city we do? Why do we attend our church or vote the way we vote?
Again, the point is not to change what we do, but rather to understand it.
And with understanding comes freedom. We might realize there’s a better approach than what we’ve been doing.
Of course, this freedom also comes with responsibility and we can no longer hide behind ignorance.
In the end, this curiosity is simply seeking God and his best for us.
Don’t stop learning. Keep asking why.
Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash