Wonder: A Position of Genuine Curiosity

Bringing Wonder Back Into Disagreements

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
- John 3:16-17 (CSB)

Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash

My church just shared its official mission statement.

We are “a radically inclusive community learning to be with Jesus, become like Jesus so we will love like Jesus.”

Many words stood out to me, but one word in particular caused me to struggle – will. I will love like Jesus. Not, I aspire to love like Jesus. Or even, I hope to love like Jesus. No, I will love like Jesus.

“But, Pastor,” I said… “that’s a big commitment! I know that there are mornings in my life where I wake up, and there ain’t nothin’ Jesus-y in the way I act.”

I brought this up again at the meeting to accept the mission statement. I was so flustered; I used the words “ain’t nothin’ Jesus-y” again. I was jesting, but there was some truth behind my concerns.

“It’s okay!” someone said to me… “This is a 5-year plan.”

“Oh good!! I’ve got 5 years everybody!” I called out laughing, but I know myself… and whether it’s 5, 50, or 500 years… I will always fall short of that statement.

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All joking aside, the word we really need to discuss is “inclusive.” It’s a charged word. A contentious word. A political word. A word where everyone has an opinion. So, let’s define it. Merriam Webster shares three definitions,

1. Broad in orientation or scope

2. Covering or intended to cover all items, costs, or services.

3. Including everyone

I hate when definitions include the word their defining. Therefore, the definition of include (from #3) is,

1. To take in or comprise as a part of a whole or group.

2. To contain between or within

From that I think it’s reasonable to extrapolate that inclusive means - “to contain everyone.”