The message entrusted to the disciples by Jesus was not one of judgement, it was not about the anger or expectations of God… NO! The message they were to carry in their hearts and speak with their words and lives was one of hope - God is light. They were to awaken others with the dawning light of God's love. Light is his essence, his voice, his nature - bright, radiant, warm, rejuvenating, illuminating light. In the beginning, God said, “Let there be light…” Before he created anything else, he established light in the world - a true reflection and extension of himself. Scientists refer to light as both obvious and mysterious - we can see it clearly but its ways and behaviour have an unsearchable depth. Whenever they think they’ve got light figured out, light beautifully surprises them. Through the ages, many well-respected scientists have had many different, and often opposing, theories about light (selah) - from Pythagoras to Maxwell, to Newton, to Einstein and many in-between. Here are a couple of things we know for sure: Light is the fastest ’thing’ in the universe and travels at a speed of 186000 miles per second, which means that every second it travels almost 8 times around the world. (God is light… and he is all around us). For plants to not just grow, but maintain optimum nutrition and mineral content, they need the light from the sun to shine upon them. (It’s in Christ that we live and move and have our being). Light is not singular in colour but is made up of all existing colours. All colours, not missing one, when joined and stirred together, when they hold each other and mingle, they make the colour of light. (For God so loved ALL the world… that he gave his only son…) Jesus - the light and hope of the world. By whom we see, we know, we grow, we commune and are strengthened. He fills our hearts with his light so that we don’t have to work to get under it - we carry it with us wherever we go. The source of light is all around is, under, above us, through and in us. Jesus. As with scientists on the subject of light, we pray that you encounter the obvious and mysterious ways of Christ and that you will always and ever be beautifully surprised by his grace and love.
The message entrusted to the disciples by Jesus was not one of judgement, it was not about the anger or expectations of God… NO! The message they were to carry in their hearts and speak with their words and lives was one of hope - God is light. They were to awaken others with the dawning light of God's love. Light is his essence, his voice, his nature - bright, radiant, warm, rejuvenating, illuminating light. In the beginning, God said, “Let there be light…” Before he created anything else, he established light in the world - a true reflection and extension of himself. Scientists refer to light as both obvious and mysterious - we can see it clearly but its ways and behaviour have an unsearchable depth. Whenever they think they’ve got light figured out, light beautifully surprises them. Through the ages, many well-respected scientists have had many different, and often opposing, theories about light (selah) - from Pythagoras to Maxwell, to Newton, to Einstein and many in-between. Here are a couple of things we know for sure: Light is the fastest ’thing’ in the universe and travels at a speed of 186000 miles per second, which means that every second it travels almost 8 times around the world. (God is light… and he is all around us). For plants to not just grow, but maintain optimum nutrition and mineral content, they need the light from the sun to shine upon them. (It’s in Christ that we live and move and have our being). Light is not singular in colour but is made up of all existing colours. All colours, not missing one, when joined and stirred together, when they hold each other and mingle, they make the colour of light. (For God so loved ALL the world… that he gave his only son…) Jesus - the light and hope of the world. By whom we see, we know, we grow, we commune and are strengthened. He fills our hearts with his light so that we don’t have to work to get under it - we carry it with us wherever we go. The source of light is all around is, under, above us, through and in us. Jesus. As with scientists on the subject of light, we pray that you encounter the obvious and mysterious ways of Christ and that you will always and ever be beautifully surprised by his grace and love.
In Tolkiens “The Lord of the Rings,” Smeagol is possessed by an obsession for his “precious,” a powerful ring that captured his attention while still a hobbit. But as he gave himself over to this ring, it began to change him; his appetites, his longings and his priorities. After a time, he was no longer recognisable as a hobbit but had transformed into Gollum, whose sole passion and obsession was finding this ring and having it in his possession. It had gotten to his heart and tainted his life bit by bit until he overflowed with nothing but its pursuit. What you plant in your heart grows. It's much like planting a garden in that sunny spot in the backyard. If you plant roses, you’ll grow roses. If you plant pumpkin seeds, you’ll grow about a tonne of pumpkin. You’ll never get sunflowers from thorn bushes or capsicums from weeds; you grow what you plant. If you can’t remember what you’ve planted into the ground, come harvest you’ll know by the fruit of the plant that has grown from that seed. Your words - not just what you say but how you say them - are the fruit of what you’ve allowed to take root in your heart. The health of what you plant is dependant on the soil; watering it, feeding it, turning it over... nurture, sustenance and sunlight. How do you nurture your heart? Do you ignore it? Abuse it? Are you constantly feeding it negativity, self-doubt and self-hatred? Watering it with gossip and darkness? Just as Smeagol allowed the power of the ring to plant itself deep within his heart and eventually to overflow from his life, whatever you devote your attention and time to, take on board and store in your heart, will be revealed by your words and tone. If you need a change, start what you plant in your heart. Throw away the seeds of hatred and bitterness. Those plants bubble up and out of your mouth with taunts and judgements. Plant instead seeds of hope, seeds of blessing and love. These plants grow into words of compassion and kindness. Feed yourself faith and grace and love. These tiny little seeds grow into the most beautiful, lush and strong trees in the garden of your life. Take note of what comes out of your mouth today… maybe it will lead you to dig up that old garden bed, reach for some new seeds and plant to change the landscape of your life.
In Tolkiens “The Lord of the Rings,” Smeagol is possessed by an obsession for his “precious,” a powerful ring that captured his attention while still a hobbit. But as he gave himself over to this ring, it began to change him; his appetites, his longings and his priorities. After a time, he was no longer recognisable as a hobbit but had transformed into Gollum, whose sole passion and obsession was finding this ring and having it in his possession. It had gotten to his heart and tainted his life bit by bit until he overflowed with nothing but its pursuit. What you plant in your heart grows. It's much like planting a garden in that sunny spot in the backyard. If you plant roses, you’ll grow roses. If you plant pumpkin seeds, you’ll grow about a tonne of pumpkin. You’ll never get sunflowers from thorn bushes or capsicums from weeds; you grow what you plant. If you can’t remember what you’ve planted into the ground, come harvest you’ll know by the fruit of the plant that has grown from that seed. Your words - not just what you say but how you say them - are the fruit of what you’ve allowed to take root in your heart. The health of what you plant is dependant on the soil; watering it, feeding it, turning it over... nurture, sustenance and sunlight. How do you nurture your heart? Do you ignore it? Abuse it? Are you constantly feeding it negativity, self-doubt and self-hatred? Watering it with gossip and darkness? Just as Smeagol allowed the power of the ring to plant itself deep within his heart and eventually to overflow from his life, whatever you devote your attention and time to, take on board and store in your heart, will be revealed by your words and tone. If you need a change, start what you plant in your heart. Throw away the seeds of hatred and bitterness. Those plants bubble up and out of your mouth with taunts and judgements. Plant instead seeds of hope, seeds of blessing and love. These plants grow into words of compassion and kindness. Feed yourself faith and grace and love. These tiny little seeds grow into the most beautiful, lush and strong trees in the garden of your life. Take note of what comes out of your mouth today… maybe it will lead you to dig up that old garden bed, reach for some new seeds and plant to change the landscape of your life.
Part Two Moses sang songs of praise and thanksgiving after the Israelites had crossed safely through the Red Sea with the Egyptian army vanquished behind them. It was the beginning of a great pilgrimage... one of the heart more than geography. The Exodus story is an incredible journey of hope and rescue - the culmination of challenging years. Imagine the thoughts and beliefs that the Israelites would have had about themselves and their status upon the earth brought on by years of slavery and hardship... Yet even so, an undeniable thirst and hope for more stirred just below the surface of the enslaved people. Those days after leaving Egypt so miraculously were indeed filled with God’s might on display... Pillars of cloud and fire, the parting of the Red Sea, the decimation of the Egyptian army... God was leading them into freedom, and yes, to The Promised Land. But more than that, he was leading their hearts to hope, to freedom and life. Although there was a geographical plan and an intended homeland for the Israelites to settle in, God had a journey for their hearts also. These people were curled over and wound tight by generations worth of oppression. Beaten, abused, their children killed and elders abandoned... The events leading up to the Exodus began to awaken hope within them. Slowly, as God led them by his might, their lives began to unfold and stretch out into a hope and freedom they had only dreamed of. And this unfolding took time. It was a journey in and of itself. When we read that the Israelites began to panic when the Egyptian army turns up, we (the readers) judge them harshly; “Where is their faith?" But think about the mind spin they were going through... and remember that change takes time. It's easy from our perspective and knowledge of the story to judge their reactions, but I wonder what many of us would have done if we were there with them? Moses reminded them “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation. He will provide for you today... The Lord will fight for you...” God was leading their hearts on a journey of belief and hope... As he will with you. The Exodus story isn’t just their story, it's ours too. As we awaken to the love of God, he leads us as only he can out of a life bent over, wound up and broken, into his freedom. Allow him to stretch out your heart with faith, hope and love... and lead you inwardly on the journey of grace and change.
Part Two Moses sang songs of praise and thanksgiving after the Israelites had crossed safely through the Red Sea with the Egyptian army vanquished behind them. It was the beginning of a great pilgrimage... one of the heart more than geography. The Exodus story is an incredible journey of hope and rescue - the culmination of challenging years. Imagine the thoughts and beliefs that the Israelites would have had about themselves and their status upon the earth brought on by years of slavery and hardship... Yet even so, an undeniable thirst and hope for more stirred just below the surface of the enslaved people. Those days after leaving Egypt so miraculously were indeed filled with God’s might on display... Pillars of cloud and fire, the parting of the Red Sea, the decimation of the Egyptian army... God was leading them into freedom, and yes, to The Promised Land. But more than that, he was leading their hearts to hope, to freedom and life. Although there was a geographical plan and an intended homeland for the Israelites to settle in, God had a journey for their hearts also. These people were curled over and wound tight by generations worth of oppression. Beaten, abused, their children killed and elders abandoned... The events leading up to the Exodus began to awaken hope within them. Slowly, as God led them by his might, their lives began to unfold and stretch out into a hope and freedom they had only dreamed of. And this unfolding took time. It was a journey in and of itself. When we read that the Israelites began to panic when the Egyptian army turns up, we (the readers) judge them harshly; “Where is their faith?" But think about the mind spin they were going through... and remember that change takes time. It's easy from our perspective and knowledge of the story to judge their reactions, but I wonder what many of us would have done if we were there with them? Moses reminded them “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation. He will provide for you today... The Lord will fight for you...” God was leading their hearts on a journey of belief and hope... As he will with you. The Exodus story isn’t just their story, it's ours too. As we awaken to the love of God, he leads us as only he can out of a life bent over, wound up and broken, into his freedom. Allow him to stretch out your heart with faith, hope and love... and lead you inwardly on the journey of grace and change.
Part One I left the complaining and crying of the people and walked toward the shore. In the early evening, the light flickered on the water in silvers and teals. Transfixed by the dancing colours, my mind wandered through the events of the last few hours. Our ex-masters had come for us... After all they’d suffered over the last few weeks, I wasn’t sure they would give chase... But now the only thing that separated us from them was a thick cloud. The wailing from the camp drifted on the wind down to my secluded haven... We were good at complaining. We complained about the food, about the conditions, our captors, our country, our God, each other... we were masters of complaints. Children of heartache. Yet, I yearn for more. All those years enslaved, labouring under the hot sun, blisters covering my hands, my feet swollen and rough, my heart longed for more... like a homesickness for a far off land, one I had never seen. This sickness lured bitterness to my soul, toying with it... begging me to give up and accept my status in the world. Slave. Worthless. Expendable. Like so many of my countrymen, this bitterness tried to overwhelm me, dry me out like that the desert that surrounded us in that city of brick and sun. I’ve been thirsty my whole life. But hope... hope. It’s always played around the edges of my mind. It’s whispered dreams and promises that someday something ‘more’ will happen. The God of our people would rescue us from our oppressors just as He had rescued Joseph all those years ago... The wind grew stronger around me. The light no longer danced, but pulsated off the water and jolted me from my thoughts. As I stood, the wind heightened even more. It became a shout, then a howl, blowing upon the water with such ferocity that I did not hear my name being called... It seemed that the water was being pushed back by the wind. The gale licked it up like a starving desert wanderer... It was then that I felt him at my side, I turned... Bathed in the firelight, Caleb’s face was red and wild, his beard and hair crazy in the wind. “Joshua, Moses is calling...” A knowing rose within me that ‘the something more’ - the promises whispered through stories of old by the ghosts of hope - would be found beyond this body of water that was being torn in two right before my eyes. To be continued.
Part One I left the complaining and crying of the people and walked toward the shore. In the early evening, the light flickered on the water in silvers and teals. Transfixed by the dancing colours, my mind wandered through the events of the last few hours. Our ex-masters had come for us... After all they’d suffered over the last few weeks, I wasn’t sure they would give chase... But now the only thing that separated us from them was a thick cloud. The wailing from the camp drifted on the wind down to my secluded haven... We were good at complaining. We complained about the food, about the conditions, our captors, our country, our God, each other... we were masters of complaints. Children of heartache. Yet, I yearn for more. All those years enslaved, labouring under the hot sun, blisters covering my hands, my feet swollen and rough, my heart longed for more... like a homesickness for a far off land, one I had never seen. This sickness lured bitterness to my soul, toying with it... begging me to give up and accept my status in the world. Slave. Worthless. Expendable. Like so many of my countrymen, this bitterness tried to overwhelm me, dry me out like that the desert that surrounded us in that city of brick and sun. I’ve been thirsty my whole life. But hope... hope. It’s always played around the edges of my mind. It’s whispered dreams and promises that someday something ‘more’ will happen. The God of our people would rescue us from our oppressors just as He had rescued Joseph all those years ago... The wind grew stronger around me. The light no longer danced, but pulsated off the water and jolted me from my thoughts. As I stood, the wind heightened even more. It became a shout, then a howl, blowing upon the water with such ferocity that I did not hear my name being called... It seemed that the water was being pushed back by the wind. The gale licked it up like a starving desert wanderer... It was then that I felt him at my side, I turned... Bathed in the firelight, Caleb’s face was red and wild, his beard and hair crazy in the wind. “Joshua, Moses is calling...” A knowing rose within me that ‘the something more’ - the promises whispered through stories of old by the ghosts of hope - would be found beyond this body of water that was being torn in two right before my eyes. To be continued.
I have two kids under 5 and I really hate seeing them in pain. I would do ANYTHING to keep them from harm's way. It’s really tempting to shelter them, prop them up and surround them in bubble wrap so they never experience hardship. However, if I treated them this way, they would never learn. To me, some of the most important skills I can teach my children are resilience, openness and determination. How to speak up when something bad happens to them, how to defend themselves and others, how to recover from disappointments and keep on moving forward in hardship. How to love like Christ and live openly in his presence come-what-may. The inevitable is that bad things will happen. Our assurance is that God's unfolding grace is always at work, even when it’s not seen or being demonstrative. That’s why we never give up. Through hardships, there is more going on than meets the eye. Our inner self is being built up and strengthened. Exercised. It’s learning the ways of faith and hope in a way it never could walking down easy street. Don’t chase after a picture perfect life, one that looks good from the outside but is neglected within. The depth of character is formed on stormy, crashing seas where we have to dig deep and trust. Faith is built on the unseen, the untouchable, and the undeniable love of God. How much would the world change if we valued the unseen? If we chased after kindness instead of positions. If we built character and hope rather than empires. And practised humility, compassion and community in the place of coming first. There is always more going on around you than meets the eye. Hardship isn’t just painful, it’s a training ground for resilience and strength. It’s an opportunity for grace and hope to grow. And it’s the unseen factors of life, not the seen trophies or moments of glory, that carry us into eternity. Open your eyes to them. And he is always there, with us through it all, teaching us the “unforced rhythms of grace.” (Matt 11:29 MSG)
I have two kids under 5 and I really hate seeing them in pain. I would do ANYTHING to keep them from harm's way. It’s really tempting to shelter them, prop them up and surround them in bubble wrap so they never experience hardship. However, if I treated them this way, they would never learn. To me, some of the most important skills I can teach my children are resilience, openness and determination. How to speak up when something bad happens to them, how to defend themselves and others, how to recover from disappointments and keep on moving forward in hardship. How to love like Christ and live openly in his presence come-what-may. The inevitable is that bad things will happen. Our assurance is that God's unfolding grace is always at work, even when it’s not seen or being demonstrative. That’s why we never give up. Through hardships, there is more going on than meets the eye. Our inner self is being built up and strengthened. Exercised. It’s learning the ways of faith and hope in a way it never could walking down easy street. Don’t chase after a picture perfect life, one that looks good from the outside but is neglected within. The depth of character is formed on stormy, crashing seas where we have to dig deep and trust. Faith is built on the unseen, the untouchable, and the undeniable love of God. How much would the world change if we valued the unseen? If we chased after kindness instead of positions. If we built character and hope rather than empires. And practised humility, compassion and community in the place of coming first. There is always more going on around you than meets the eye. Hardship isn’t just painful, it’s a training ground for resilience and strength. It’s an opportunity for grace and hope to grow. And it’s the unseen factors of life, not the seen trophies or moments of glory, that carry us into eternity. Open your eyes to them. And he is always there, with us through it all, teaching us the “unforced rhythms of grace.” (Matt 11:29 MSG)
Some think that the writings in Ecclesiastes are negative and depressing. It could seem that way when you read “Everything is meaningless… completely meaningless” (1:2) and “…I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive.” (4:2). But this book is a beautiful journey filled with the poetic and nostalgic language of a man, whom near the end of his life, is navigating the hallways of his past, the room of his present, and the gardens of tomorrow. He explores the question “What is life all about” so eloquently and beautifully. When you read the book in one sitting, you get a sense that he has arrived at a conclusion and made peace with his journey. In the western world, we view life through staccato glasses; we often miss the meaningfulness of everyday moments, the beauty of the journey, the importance of light and shade, failure and success. We want to jump to all the good parts and forget the hardships. Life is a dance… not a climb or a ladder, but forward, backward, sideways, up and down motions with lessons to be learnt, times for reflection, for action, growth, joy, pain, sorrow, gladness… When we dance through these experiences, we truly live each moment and nothing is wasted. I think that's the point the author of Ecclesiastes is trying to make. He uses the word ‘meaningless’ more than 30 times in the 12th chapter, which we could take depressingly. But the original word used here is “heh’bel” meaning “vapor or breath”… He’s not saying life is meaningless, so there’s no point… He’s saying life is short, make the most of it. Whatever you find yourself doing, or whatever situation you're in, own it, live it and squeeze every last drop of growth, meaning and joy out of it that you can. It’s an encouragement to grab life with both hands, no excuses and live… truly live. Brene Brown writes, “I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” Life is a vapor, a breath... what will you find within it? We do not dance this life alone… our divine partner, our God and Saviour, is with us, showing us the steps and leading the way. Grab onto him with both hands, your whole heart, all your strength, and give life all you’ve got.
Some think that the writings in Ecclesiastes are negative and depressing. It could seem that way when you read “Everything is meaningless… completely meaningless” (1:2) and “…I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive.” (4:2). But this book is a beautiful journey filled with the poetic and nostalgic language of a man, whom near the end of his life, is navigating the hallways of his past, the room of his present, and the gardens of tomorrow. He explores the question “What is life all about” so eloquently and beautifully. When you read the book in one sitting, you get a sense that he has arrived at a conclusion and made peace with his journey. In the western world, we view life through staccato glasses; we often miss the meaningfulness of everyday moments, the beauty of the journey, the importance of light and shade, failure and success. We want to jump to all the good parts and forget the hardships. Life is a dance… not a climb or a ladder, but forward, backward, sideways, up and down motions with lessons to be learnt, times for reflection, for action, growth, joy, pain, sorrow, gladness… When we dance through these experiences, we truly live each moment and nothing is wasted. I think that's the point the author of Ecclesiastes is trying to make. He uses the word ‘meaningless’ more than 30 times in the 12th chapter, which we could take depressingly. But the original word used here is “heh’bel” meaning “vapor or breath”… He’s not saying life is meaningless, so there’s no point… He’s saying life is short, make the most of it. Whatever you find yourself doing, or whatever situation you're in, own it, live it and squeeze every last drop of growth, meaning and joy out of it that you can. It’s an encouragement to grab life with both hands, no excuses and live… truly live. Brene Brown writes, “I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” Life is a vapor, a breath... what will you find within it? We do not dance this life alone… our divine partner, our God and Saviour, is with us, showing us the steps and leading the way. Grab onto him with both hands, your whole heart, all your strength, and give life all you’ve got.
CURIOSITY - PART FOUR - IN WHICH KIDS ARE KINGS AND QUEENS If you have kids or spend any decent amount of time with any, you’ll know that they all have this one thing in common: insatiable curiosity. Recent questions I’ve been asked by my kids (aged five and seven): How old is God? How old was Jesus when Jack Black was born (big fans… of both)? How does a baby actually get inside a mummy’s tummy? Tell me the truth! I NEED to know! What does (insert swear word) mean? Is God a man or a woman? Can I have more chocolate? Why is that lady crying? How come some kids don’t have enough food to eat? Do I HAVE to go to school? Whose gonna die first, you or Daddy? So. Many. Questions. At some point, while growing up, we were taught either directly or indirectly, to stop asking. As annoying as my kids curiosity sometimes is; as much as it brings them home covered in dirt with scrapes and bruises and sometimes tears or tales of adventure; as much as it disrupts what I’m doing (they always ask while I’m in the MIDDLE of something); as much as their curiosity can get them in trouble and drive me crazy, I never want them to stop being curious. About everything. Kids want to: LEARN KNOW DISCOVER Their curiosity is key to their development. When did we get the idea that at some point we graduate from the learning and development process? Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks says that “Faith is not opposed to questions, but it is opposed to the shallow certainty that what we understand is all there is.” Einstein said: "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day." Jesus said, “Unless you dramatically change your way of thinking and become teachable, and learn about heaven’s kingdom realm with the wide-eyed wonder of a child, you will never be able to enter in.” (Matt 18:3). We must keep on living into curiosity that explores things such as this: "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9). "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1). "Who is my neighbor" (Luke 10:29). “Where shall I go from your Spirit?" (Psalm 139:7) “What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?" (Matthew 16:26) "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6). "What is truth?" (John 18:38). There is so much more to learn. My children trust me. Even though I stuff up, even though I sometimes forget to meet them at the bus stop and I lie to them about veggies in their dinner (that MIGHT be a complete abuse of trust), they trust my love for them. And that sense of “being held” in my love, gives their curiosity freedom. They boldly ask questions. They understand that learning is not something to be ashamed of, but is something to engage in, celebrate and embrace. Learning and continuing to learn is what is going to open the world up to them. It never ends. Curiosity is emboldened by trust. A Holy curiosity, a divine vocation of learning, is empowered by faith. A faith that says, “there is more going on here than I currently know.” So curious one, explore the depths and heights and wonders of it all, just like you did when you were young. More tomorrow... Written by Lizzy Milani Find us: Instagram: @lizzy.milani @jessemilani and @pocketfuel Twitter: @lizzymilani @jessemilani and @pktfuel FB: Lizzymilani Jessemilani and pktfuel pktfuel.com
CURIOSITY - PART FOUR - IN WHICH KIDS ARE KINGS AND QUEENS If you have kids or spend any decent amount of time with any, you’ll know that they all have this one thing in common: insatiable curiosity. Recent questions I’ve been asked by my kids (aged five and seven): How old is God? How old was Jesus when Jack Black was born (big fans… of both)? How does a baby actually get inside a mummy’s tummy? Tell me the truth! I NEED to know! What does (insert swear word) mean? Is God a man or a woman? Can I have more chocolate? Why is that lady crying? How come some kids don’t have enough food to eat? Do I HAVE to go to school? Whose gonna die first, you or Daddy? So. Many. Questions. At some point, while growing up, we were taught either directly or indirectly, to stop asking. As annoying as my kids curiosity sometimes is; as much as it brings them home covered in dirt with scrapes and bruises and sometimes tears or tales of adventure; as much as it disrupts what I’m doing (they always ask while I’m in the MIDDLE of something); as much as their curiosity can get them in trouble and drive me crazy, I never want them to stop being curious. About everything. Kids want to: LEARN KNOW DISCOVER Their curiosity is key to their development. When did we get the idea that at some point we graduate from the learning and development process? Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks says that “Faith is not opposed to questions, but it is opposed to the shallow certainty that what we understand is all there is.” Einstein said: "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day." Jesus said, “Unless you dramatically change your way of thinking and become teachable, and learn about heaven’s kingdom realm with the wide-eyed wonder of a child, you will never be able to enter in.” (Matt 18:3). We must keep on living into curiosity that explores things such as this: "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9). "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1). "Who is my neighbor" (Luke 10:29). “Where shall I go from your Spirit?" (Psalm 139:7) “What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?" (Matthew 16:26) "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6). "What is truth?" (John 18:38). There is so much more to learn. My children trust me. Even though I stuff up, even though I sometimes forget to meet them at the bus stop and I lie to them about veggies in their dinner (that MIGHT be a complete abuse of trust), they trust my love for them. And that sense of “being held” in my love, gives their curiosity freedom. They boldly ask questions. They understand that learning is not something to be ashamed of, but is something to engage in, celebrate and embrace. Learning and continuing to learn is what is going to open the world up to them. It never ends. Curiosity is emboldened by trust. A Holy curiosity, a divine vocation of learning, is empowered by faith. A faith that says, “there is more going on here than I currently know.” So curious one, explore the depths and heights and wonders of it all, just like you did when you were young. More tomorrow... Written by Lizzy Milani Find us: Instagram: @lizzy.milani @jessemilani and @pocketfuel Twitter: @lizzymilani @jessemilani and @pktfuel FB: Lizzymilani Jessemilani and pktfuel pktfuel.com