Making a Name for Ourselves… and Missing the Point

By Jerry McCorkle

Scripture tells us that the people gathered at the Tower of Babel with one shared goal: to make a name for themselves.

Some things never change. That impulse—to be known, to be important, to be revered—still echoes in every corner of our world.

Look around–all throughout history and still today you’ll see it: presidents, kings, and world leaders often operate with a kind of messiah complex, craving worship, admiration, and power. You see it in the narcissism that fills our media, where fame is mistaken for meaning.

It’s on full display in the world of sports—athletes basking in their own glory, shouting their greatness. And it shows up in the simplest of places too—a playground, a schoolyard—where even children, almost instinctively, strive to stand out, to be the best, to make a name for themselves.

We’ve all been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt.

But here’s the thing: after we’ve made our case to the world about how impressive or important we are, we rarely feel any better. There’s a hollowness to it—a deep ache that reminds us this isn’t how things were meant to be.

The Tower of Babel didn’t end well. They tried to reach the heavens, to take the place of God, to be their own rulers. And what did God do? He scattered them—confused their language and sent them across the earth. What was once one voice became many, and what was once unity became division.

That same spirit—the drive to make ourselves great—still runs through us today.

I can’t pretend I haven’t felt it. I’ve tried to make a name for myself, too. But the older I get, the more I’m reminded of what Paul wrote: Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.  — Philippians 2:4 (CSB)

Living east of Eden still tempts us to build our own towers, to claim our own glory. But maybe it’s time for a reset.

By God’s grace, what if we chose humility? What if we made His name great, instead of our own? What if we let others shine, lifted them up, and gave them the credit?

What if we stepped into the background and let the light fall on someone else?

East of Eden, we’re still trying to make a name for ourselves. But maybe, just maybe, we could begin to live as if making His name great was the better way.

Because it is.