1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.

2 As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.

3 They said to each other, ‘Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.’ They used brick instead of stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.’

5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.’

8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel – because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth. (Genesis 11 NIVUK)

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2 NIVUK)

As I write this reflection, news has not long broken about a cyber security issue which impacts significant sections of the internet. I confess, I do not fully understand this beyond the warning, “be extra vigilant online in the coming days” (something we all should probably do anyway…); but as I read a news article in an attempt to understand, my eye was drawn to a related news story, which told of Wes Streeting (the current Defence Secretary) warning the public to expect supply chain disruption as a result of either cyber attacks or the climate emergency.

Which brought to mind, of all things, the Tower of Babel.

If we were to take the time to investigate, I imagine every generation would have its “tower of Babel” moment – where some innovation or advancement, intended to improve, is pushed too far and itself becomes a source of destruction. In the context of Genesis 11, it was the innovation of bricks, which allowed for building more stable constructions (generally, a good thing) which was, through wrong motive, pushed too far (let us build… a tower that reaches to the heavens) and became a source of destruction (the Lord scattered them).

Of course, the tale of the tower of Babel, and God’s actions in response, carry more depth and meaning that a single paragraph can allow, but I trust the connection is clear. As humans, we have a tendency toward innovation which can be a source for good (likely because we are reflecting God, as we co-create mirroring His creating of all things); but too frequently, and often through selfish motive, push the boundaries to a point where we invite painful and destructive consequences.

Yet God, in His mercy, does not leave us to suffer the full brunt of the consequences of our short-sighted actions. Just as He confused language and scattered at the tower of Babel; on the day of Pentecost, God reversed this, brining shared understanding by enabling the Apostles to speak in many languages; and through their sharing of the Gospel of Jesus, joined people in unity.

All of which, I trust, gives us some sense of hope as we face what I suspect is our generation’s tower of Babel moment. Yes, we may well face challenges as a result of humanity’s overreaching, and abuse of our good, God-given creative nature. But we are also assured that this same God is mindful of what we face, and in His grace, through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, is working to put right that which has gone wrong, and will hold us secure until we see the restoration of all things in the resurrection to eternal life.

 

With every blessing,
Stuart
Email: slove@churchofscotland.org.uk
Tel.: 07916 176 873

---

Blythswood Christmas Boxes Appeal

Everything is ready for the annual checking of the shoeboxes that are going to Eastern Europe for Christmas.

The brightly coloured boxes are stacked in the garage.
The cartons have been assembled and the table has places for 8 checking stations. 
There are also other spaces in the Tom Hamilton room.



We start on Monday 2 November and will check every weekday from 10am until 3.30pm.
This allows us time to prepare and tidy either side of these times.


We will be checking right through the month of November and we would love to see as many folk as possible. We cannot function without volunteers. You are welcome for an hour or more - just whatever you can manage.
Refreshments are served during the morning and the afternoon. It helps if you can bring a cup as this saves money and makes us more eco friendly.
If you come over lunch time you are welcome to bring your lunch.

We realise not everyone is able to physically help but an even more important way to support us is to remember the Shoebox Appeal in your prayers.

Denise and Lesley

---

Keep the Date - 19 December for Heavenly Realms

The LAMPS theatre company are coming to Maxwell on 19 December 

It is billed as Heavenly Realms Retirement Home for Old Angel  Pensioners.

It looks like a great deal of fun.

Tickets available shortly. Just £10 plus booking fee per person.



Denise