Thursday, January 21, 2016

Meditation for January 21, 2016

Genesis 11:4 Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves.

Jeremy Sierra, editor in chief for Trinity, Wall Street wrote "I have a secret ambition to be famous. Not super famous, but maybe a review in The New York Times, a book tour, at least one piece of writing that people read after I am gone. When I write with this goal in mind, however, the results are often less than spectacular. I start to lose track of what I am trying to say and instead end up writing empty, flowery sentences. I am at my best when I write as myself, worrying less about creating something that everyone will love and more about stating something honest and true."

I wonder if the sin of the Babylonians was not building a tower but rather building with the intention of making a name for themselves. We all have gifts and talents, and we are meant to use them. We get ourselves confused when we worry too much about how we are perceived, about making the tallest tower. We are not meant to use our talents and skills to impress other people; we are meant to use them to create something authentic and true.

Almighty God, whose loving hand hath given us all that we possess: Grant us grace that we may honor you with our gifts and talents, and, remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.