Being Curious
I once saw a puppy encounter a new toy for the first time. He ran to it, but then quickly jumped backwards, suddenly afraid of it. But he couldn’t help but be curious.
He wanted to have the toy so badly. So he crept closer and closer. He was braver this time, and he finally grabbed it. That toy became one of his most treasured possessions. You couldn’t get it away from him.
The Irish novelist James Stephens once wrote, “Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will.” This doesn’t just apply to puppies and toys. It also applies to people.
Sometimes it’s scary to talk to a new person. But if we use our curiosity and ask them meaningful questions about their story and their interests, we might find that we’re no longer afraid.
Interestingly, the Latin root of the word “curious” is cura, which means to care or heal. So, curiosity is tied with caring about someone.
Philippians 2:3 & 4 says that we should be humble and put others above ourselves, valuing their interests instead of our own. That sounds like curiosity to me! When we care for others, ask them questions, and get to know them, we will also find ways to share our faith in Jesus Christ and our story with them.
So, use your curiosity to get to know someone new today. That’s the first step to sharing the good news of Jesus with them.
“When we care for others, ask them questions, and get to know them, we will also find ways to share our faith in Jesus Christ and our story with them.”
Philippians 2:3-4
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”