Life is far more interesting with a bit of curiosity. It is simply dull to be content with what you already know. Worse, having much confidence despite little knowledge is the embarrassing cognitive bias called the Dunning-Kruger Effect. It is a wondrous combination of ignorance and arrogance – often in error but never in doubt. A little curiosity can fix that.
Let us stipulate that curiosity fixed on vice or motivated by voyeurism is pathological. This is not about that. I encourage you to be motivated by a healthy wonder and a willingness to be surprised. Such motivates people to read books, travel places, and make new friends. Curiosity benefits the introvert and the extrovert.
It also helps other people. You benefit from the curiosity of your doctor or counselor. Society benefits from the curiosity of the beat reporter and the police detective. Humanity benefits from the curiosity of scientists, especially when they get a glimpse of the mind of God.
Astronomer Edwin Hubble’s curiosity led to the discovery of the expanding universe, implying a beginning. That is an insurmountable trauma for those who want Genesis 1:1 to be wrong. The curious field of quantum mechanics points to enchanting mysteries, like how something can be nothing and everything at once. Physicist Michael Guillen says, “When you look at modern quantum mechanics, they are having to resort to … supernatural explanations.” Psychiatrist Bruce Greyson researches near-death experiences. He documents phenomena that science cannot explain. However, “If you assume that mind and brain can separate when the brain starts to deteriorate,” he said, “then you have an explanation.” Scientific curiosity is blessing humanity (however unwittingly) with reasons to believe God exists and immortality is possible.
This brings us to a unique category of people whose curiosity was inhabited by God for the purpose of divine revelation – the prophets of old. Peter explains that they made “careful searches and inquiries” seeking to know more about the coming Messiah and what this meant for the salvation of your soul. “It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you,” he writes, “in these things which now have been announced to you.” He adds these are “things into which angels long to look” (1 Pet. 1:10-12). If the suffering of Christ for the redemption of souls raises the curiosity of angels, it merits your interest, too!
It is natural to be curious about the future. College-hopeful teens wonder about their future education. Gen Z explores ways to advance their careers. Gen X wonders how to prepare for retirement. Boomers wonder about end-of-life issues. Such curiosity is a hint from God about your eternal destiny. So, where will your curiosity take you? When it leads to faith in Christ for the redemption of your soul, you experience something an angel never will.