Tower Building

After spending two days asking God why He decided to put a halt to the tower building project in Babel, I’m still in conversation with Him. I’m waiting to learn what He meant when He said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them” (Genesis 11:6). Nothing? The consequence of the Tower of Babel is unfortunate, considering that, even within the bounds of a single language, it seems impossible to make sense these days. For now, though, I’m okay with waiting for answers—with leaving some mysteries unsolved and moving forward.   

Mainly because there is a different part of the story that pulled me in: “Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves’” (Genesis 11:4).

I keep thinking about what these words should mean to a person who has been spending her time exposing her private moments with God, writing in an online journal, stacking up the bricks, forming a tower of sorts—or a name for herself? What is my motivation anyways? As I lay brick upon brick, it’s tempting to just keep stacking them up in my mind and to dream of how high they could go. It’s tempting to want the attention for myself. Even if you begin a project with right intentions, there is a fine line that eventually appears between giving the glory to God and keeping it for yourself. Despite the temptations, I try to find myself up against the line, with my feet fully planted on the side where I can remain unseen.

This is why I hesitated in December when I wanted so badly to share the musical project that Eric had worked on all year. Every time I typed up the announcement, I felt I was pushing him over the line, out of the shadow.

Elevating him like an ancient statue.

But I listened to the whole record today, and I can't wait any longer to share it. I overlooked the fact that when Eric was praying about the project, he heard God assuring him that this would be something they would create together. Togetherness is much sweeter than any amount of glory received on the other side of the fine line. 

Follow the link for more information about "Carry Your Name"-
released by A Jesus Church, December 2013:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/carry-your-name/id777133884

As I continue to write this blog, I pray that I will have the strength to keep tower building to a minimum, and the opportunity to be with God—perhaps even to write with Him, as He invited Eric to do this past year.