Babel Continues

"There the Lord confused the speech of all the world. From there the Lord scattered them all over the Earth." Gen. 11:9

Everyone speaks English, they said. You won't have to worry about the language at all, they said.

They were only partly correct. Everyone learned English -- just like I "learned" French in high school. But I'll have my phrasebook out just like the next tourist when we make it to Paris.

We haven't had much problem getting by in rural Germany as long as I can see the numbers on the cash register. We've learned enough to decipher a menu, and thank God the order of the Mass (usually) doesn't change.

The language barrier has led to a few awkward moments. Another time, I let my 3-year-old pick out some sausage from a market vendor. Somehow "leberwurst" did not translate into "liverwurst" in my head, and I bought it. She cringed at the mushy, pink stuff at first, but after a little prodding and reminder that she picked it out, she ate it by the forkfull!

More than anything though - I totally understand the Tower of Babel. As I child, it always struck me as kind of a funny story. Did those people actually think they could be greater than God? Scripture is a little hazy on their exact sin, but it does say they wanted to "make a name for themselves." (Gen. 11:4) And that idea disturbed God.

So he decided to "confuse their language," so they could no longer continue their self-aggrandizing plan. I now see exactly how that works. When you can't communicate, even the smallest tasks like buying bread become more complicated, much less trying to negotiate rent or enroll my daughter in school. I am acutely aware that I am in someone else's world, and I have to humbly ask for a lot more help than normal. Pride and independence has to take a backseat.

Even more frustrating is I can't help other people. One of the larger thoroughfares in town is closed for construction, and twice in the last week someone has stopped me to ask for directions. But aside from pointing, I can't really tell them where to go even though I know perfectly well. I'm not sure that's what God wanted from the Tower of Babel. 

Maybe the whole story is a reminder that in the beginning we did speak the same language because we do need each other. We just have to approach each other with a little more humility and openness to make things happen.

 

Finding freedom

"Where the spirit of The Lord is, there is freedom." - 2 Cor. 3:17

This verse has pulled me through some tough decisions in the past, but I saw it in a new way this weekend as we gathered with the International community here for American Independence Day. With food, games and fireworks, we gathered far from home but celebrated - and shared - the best of America.

Americans like to think we have a monopoly on freedom, and we certainly institutionalized it in a new way. But we didn't invent it. God wanted us to be free from the beginning. He planned for us to live in harmony with him, each other and the Earth.

Unfortunately, we got in the way of that plan. So we constantly try to create systems and laws and structures that re-create the gift God gave us in the beginning.

Saturday evening though, I was reminded that simplicity leads us back to that place of freedom. Our outpost here is pretty remote from all things America. And our American community is about 35 families who wanted to share America with our NATO friends. Our celebration looked like every church/community picnic you've ever attended. The kids ran in the sprinklers, threw water balloons and jumped in bounce houses. Teens kicked soccer balls and giggles awkwardly at members of the opposite sex. Adults chatted over beers, listened to great music and played a little corn hole. After the sun finally went down, we settled with our families on the lawn and oohed and aaahed at fireworks.

This is what freedom looks like. It's having our basic needs met. It's having a caring community of people who may or may not look like you. It's being able to share stories and experiences and speak your mind without fear.

That is what our founding fathers wanted. That is what God wanted. May he continue to bless America.