"They said to each other, "Come, let's build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth." (Genesis 11:4 NIV)
Vocation is a considerable expenditure of our limited earthly opportunity. The account of Babel reminds us that we are all laboring for something. We are either self-promoting or God-promoting. Our motivation matters to God.
This morning, I felt the Spirit lead me through a few vocational questions:
Why am I here? What am I attempting to accomplish?
How will I recognize a good day’s work?
Is God honored through my effort, method and outcome?
These critical questions that can keep us keenly focused, even in secular work. Honestly, I’d never given these questions much thought in ministerial work. It has only been in this recent secular stint that I’ve begun to examine my heart in terms of employment. Ministry is a little more obvious with motive, but secular work can consume us quickly. It’s critical to consider what we are giving our lives over to, and how. There’s another question to consider…
Is my work done in my name or for God’s glory?
One will burn off as chaff, the other will stand for eternity. When we look to the Tower of Babel we see it plainly: God will examine our work. Will it pass inspection?
"But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building." (Genesis 11:5 NIV)
When I was in high school, I worked in a nursing home as a CNA. State Inspection was a reality we prepared for daily. The charge nurse checked our charting. The resident rooms were kept orderly. Meds were dispensed meticulously. Why? We cared about our clients and we knew the State was coming. The quality of our care would be weighed and we refused to be found wanting. We would pass State Inspection because we self-inspected often.
The Tower of Babel reminds us that God is welcome on our job site. He still comes down to see what His people are doing and the motives with which they are working. The narrative serves as a stark reminder: how we wield our work ethic matters. Are we building for in our own name or are we laboring for the glory of God?
"I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve." (Jeremiah 17:10 NIV)
Lord, please give us the courage to consider our vocation motivation today. Are we working for a name or a standard of living? Thank You for the reminder to self-examine: we want to work for Your glory. Help us reflect on how and why we are spending ourselves. Recalibrate us to Your Kingdom values. Purify our hearts as we prepare for Your presence in our workplaces. Amen.