The story of the Tower of Babel was a favorite of mine as a child. I could imagine the people working together to build this tower so they could reach God. In my imagination I could see the people stepping out of the top of the tower into heaven and speaking to God as he sat on his throne. I really could not understand what was so wrong with that plan! As an adult, reading this Scripture in light of the instructions God had given the people after the flood, a totally different picture emerges. They did not want to reach heaven to be with God. They wanted to stay right where they were! Their goal was to make a name for themselves. They had no concern at all about doing God's will. Are we guilty of the same? Are we more concerned about what will look good rather than what is good? Are we more concerned about making our churches pleasing to others rather than pleasing God? Do we worry more about offending others than we do offending our Lord? I am afraid that is so, at least some of the time.

What then is our Tower of Babel? Let us pray that the Lord will reveal it to us, and we will willingly allow him to tear it down and help us build what he desires!

Karen Hall, Princeton, W.Va.