Famous

If the stats are right, 26 percent of teenagers expect to become famous one day. Social platforms make it seem possible for anyone to make a name for themselves. Even if you aren’t interested in becoming an influencer, most of us have a desire to post things people “like.” And if you’re not on social platforms, consider ways you use technology to curate your image (an email signature counts).

This isn’t new! The desire to “make a name for ourselves” shows up in a very old technology story.

Before you read it, here are some helpful details.

First, the characters:

•The People: All of them. In one place. Speaking the same language. And that’s part of the problem.

•The LORD (Yahweh): The same personal name for God as in our last story, indicating his relational nature and regarded by some people as sacred. Instead of only up in heaven, he’s often found among the people he created.

Second, the location:

•East: Humanity migrated “east” of the perfect garden, where they had a close relationship with the Lord(Yahweh). Sometimes, the theme of going east in the Bible shows movement away from God and his good plans (Genesis 3:24, 4:16, 13:11).

•Shinar (Babylonia): The region’s name depends on your translation; it’s the future home of the great city, Babylon (located in modern-day Iraq). It often represents the opposite of God’s best. Much later in Israel’s history, the Babylonians will invade and take everyone captive.

Finally, the context:

God gave humans a unifying purpose: work alongside him to care for the world and fill it with more people made in his image (Genesis 1:28). He also warned them of what to avoid for their protection (see story 1). But they didn’t listen and created major problems—they were separated from God, from one another, and accomplishing their purpose became more difficult. It gets worse. Instead of seeking God’s best and following his plan, people keep pursuing what they think is right. When they do, evil flourishes, violence increases, people are more divided, and they move further from God.

Open a Bible and read Genesis 11:1-9.

Discuss these questions or journal your responses.

1. What did you notice in the story? Was there anything surprising? Anything that didn’t make sense or bothered you? Anything hard to believe?

2. Why did they build the city and tower?

3. Name some situations where people being united is a bad thing.

4. Did you see technology in the story?

The people took clay and made bricks to build a ziggurat (a rectangular tower-temple). Picture a stairway for the gods to descend from the heavens. They’re also concerned about separation from one another, so they try to fix this by building a city. If they pull off creating access to the gods and building the city? They’ll be famous.

But the LORD (Yahweh) wasn’t in the “sky” waiting for the stairway to be finished. He was walking around the construction site. In their effort to reach God, they missed that he was among them. They wanted to make a name for themselves, but they already bore the best name: image bearers of God. And by unifying around the wrong goal, they missed the purpose for which they were created.

Sometimes we use technology to make a name for ourselves, like carefully curating a profile. Other times, we try to fix discontentment by buying something, or disconnection by looking at things we shouldn’t. We might even try to fix our sense of separation from God by searching for the perfect song to feel his presence again. But instead of trying to fix problems on our own or “find” God, he’s already among us, and has given us this purpose—to bear his name (identity and character) and care for the world. It may not make us famous, but it leads to a life of greater contentment through a deepening relationship with him and others.

End with this prayer and these invitations:

A Prayer for When I Feel Far from God

God who draws near, help me draw near to you. Please give me a tangible sense of your presence and help me know you’re close even when I don’t feel it. Help me believe that you will never leave me or forsake me. And give me patience, trusting that you're doing something good in this feeling of space between us.

1. Use tech well: Pick one day per week and one month per year to go off socials. If you’re not on “socials,” what version of tech do you wish you had more freedom from (i.e., email)? Try that instead. While taking a break, notice how you feel, what you think about, and how you fill time.

2. Draw closer to God and/or others: During your day of no socials, intentionally talk to God about what you’re hoping for and desire. Also, have at least one device-free meal or coffee with a friend.