I’m glad to have a big slice of curiosity in my DNA. Being curious about the “why” and “how” and “if” has meant I don’t get bored- there is always something worth attention. These meerkats are kindred spirits- endlessly curious, they explore everything in their world. Their motivations are practical rather philosophical: can they eat it, play with it, or hide from it? I like to kid myself that I’m more nuanced than that, but… um.
Living perkily is a fine attitude. They look out for each other, support and help, and sometimes squabble: just like us! Meerkats would appreciate Walt Disney, who said “When you’re curious you find lots of interesting things to do.”
So, generally I think curiosity is good- and certainly better than the opposite extreme.
However, what we do with our discoveries is really important. The game “Trivial Pursuit” is a fine example of information without application. “Trivia” by definition is “unimportant facts or details that are considered to be amusing rather than serious or useful.” The game represents the values of a hollow society.
As a pastor, I love it when someone is curious about Christian faith; better still, becomes fascinated or attracted to the person of Jesus. Wonderful and potentially life-transforming conversations ensue, and it’s so rewarding to guide their exploration. The exploration leads to an encounter- unless the curiosity is only superficial. That is sad. Jesus had conversations with many people- some moved forward in trust and love; others drew away, unwilling to follow through. Paul had similar experience: in Acts 17, he visited Berea where people responded eagerly; then in Athens, the curiosity of many was an idle pastime (see v21 below).
Being curious about Jesus can lead to MANY interesting things in a fascinating life. Assuming we are curious in the right way.
And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.
Acts 17:19-21 ESV
The Reflectionary 