Chatter invaded the tower like an army marching into battle. Rumblings and disgruntled words mixed with shouting caused her to plug her ears. How could she get it to stop? Why did she climb all those stairs to hear nothing but noise?

The others said they needed to reach the sky to be heard. The boss just wasn’t listening. So in a collective movement, they stormed to the top to reason with him. However, their blended voices only confused the matter.

The boss stood, hands on hips. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

The ramblings grew louder. Lots of nothingness filled the room. She crossed her arms, trying to focus on the issues. Why does everyone have to talk at once?

The boss pointed to the door. “That’s it. If all you’re going to do is blabber like idiots, I want you out of here.”

She chuckled. So much for being heard.

When I picture the Tower of Babel all I envision is the two towers in The Lord of the Rings. Each in separate locations, but both filled with evil all the way to the top. Is that what happened when the men of so long ago built their tower? Was it packed with trouble from the beginning?

Probably.

Let’s take a look.

They wanted to reach God. Did they think building a tower would help them touch God? Obviously they had turned from their Father, drawing themselves further away. Do we do the same? Yes. We pile stuff into our lives day after day, blocking God out. I’m guilty. I try to do too much and then wonder why I’m exhausted. This week I’ve had challenges hidden around every corner. I wished I had a tower to climb to get away from it all. However, God taught me to stop, take a break from the noise, and listen to Him.

They wanted to make a name for themselves. They thought by building a tower others would notice. I can just hear them. “Look at my tower. It’s bigger than yours.” Their pride took over causing their egos to grow. Is that what we do? What’s our motivation behind our acts? Do we do things that scream, “Look at me”? Let’s keep the tower in mind next time and examine our motives.

They had lots to say, but their words were empty. God confused their language so they couldn’t understand each other. How frustrating! Do we ever say something but know we’re not being heard? Or maybe our words aren’t God’s. As a writer, I need to examine the words I write. Am I saying something that will offend and cause others to stumble? Will my posts turn non-Christians off to God? Am I using my blog as a platform to force others to think my way? I pray not. I want my words to be God’s. How about you? Let’s use our words wisely and not shout emptiness.

Do we think we can reach God by building walls? He’s right here waiting for us to call upon Him. Let’s not forget that.

How about we climb the Tower of God and shout words of praise to Him?

Maybe we need to be speechless in order to be heard.

What comes to your mind when you think about the Tower of Babel? What lessons has it taught you?

Genesis 11: 4 (NIV)

“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 and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

Speechless (by Steven Curtis Chapman)

We say so much without really saying anything. How about we fall on our knees and remain speechless?

Words fall like drops of rain
My lips are like clouds
I say so many things
Trying to figure you out
But as mercy opens my eyes
My words are stolen away
With this breathtaking view of your grace