DWELLING ON SHINAR

The Tower of Babel story from Genesis teaches some interesting lessons. Mankind was of a single mind and language. They spoke of God but were faithless. Therefore, they came together on the plain of Shinar and began constructing a great city, a testament to man’s greatness. At the heart of the city was a tower. This tower was to be constructed of “bricks like stone” for it was being built not only to last, but also to reach Heaven itself. God then reached down and scrambled their language, making it impossible for them to continue working together, so they scattered, leaving the tower and great city unfinished. Hubris aside, what else does this lesson teach?

Consider the times throughout history when men have come together in secular (though very often wrapping themselves in God) common cause. Purges, revolutions, crusades, jihads, wars and persecutions that have lead to, arguably, more death and destruction than any other cause. The argument can, and accurately, be made that many of these things happened to stop or address a greater evil, that if arms were not taken up a greater injustice would have taken place, history being the final judge. Clearly, man has been employing secular answers (though often laying them at God’s feet) and reaping the same results since the days of Shinar. War has yet to stamp out war; Persecution leading only to new generations of persecutors; Prejudice, of all stripes, teaching another generation to jump to conclusions, to marginalize. We cannot get sick enough to cure one person. We cannot get poor enough (in fact or spirit) to help those struggling.

Living on the Spiritual Basis, we take a different tack. Today we choose to live on a different basis, the basis of trusting and relying on God. To be clear: Does this mean that we bury our heads in the sand, leave our homes unlocked, our children unprotected, offering our neck to any who would threaten us? Without equivocation, no. Continue to protect and stand for those who are incapable of protecting themselves, keep good locks on your doors, stay informed and involved in the issues of the secular world, in short, trust in God but cut the cards. Living on the Spiritual Basis has nothing to do with a Polly Anna approach to living; in fact, it is the opposite.

Living on the Spiritual Basis, we reconstruct the tower, as God would have us, each brick truth, the mortar faith. Be involved in life and living. Standing in the light the world not only needs what you have to offer, the path demands it of us. The truth will set you free. Wear your faith as a loose garment, but never deny you are wearing it.