What Is Your Name?

“Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth’” (Genesis 11:4 ESV).

I like cemeteries, for several reasons: 1) they are usually one of the first plots of land to be designated when a new community is founded, making them among the oldest places in any area; 2) they are quiet and peaceful; 3) they are usually well-manicured – blanketed in lush grass, shadowed by tall trees, dotted with brightly colored flowers.

4) They contain a lot of names.  I like to imagine the life attached to each name. Often there are clues on the headstones like, “Devoted Mother” or “Loving Father.” I am always encouraged that those who write epitaphs choose to remember the strengths of the one interred and not their weaknesses. I have never read anything negative in a cemetery.

The landscape surrounding the oldest headstones is usually the most dilapidated and receives the least amount of foot traffic. I often wonder whether anyone alive remembers the life attached to the names on the oldest headstones. As time passes, the children of the “Devoted Mother” die and then there is no one left alive who remembers her as such. Then the grandchildren of the “Devoted Mother” die, followed by her great-grandchildren, and so on. Soon there is no one alive who remembers the “Devoted Mother” at all and, for all practical purposes, she no longer impacts society.

It is true that some people are remembered generations after their death, perhaps for a unique talent, unprecedented achievement, or groundbreaking contribution to society. Most of us, however, will cease to impact society in any significant way once there is no one left alive who remembers us. This may seem somewhat fatalistic. I do not wish to imply that life is of no consequence and not worth living, but we should acknowledge that life is short and once we cease to live the world will keep going without us (until the world itself ceases to “go”). This reality enlightens the folly of living to make a name for ourselves. In all likelihood, we will fail. Even if we succeed, we will only enjoy our success for a short time.

The people of Shinar wanted to make a name for themselves, in case they became dispersed across the face of the earth. So they began erecting a shrine unto themselves – a great tower extending into the heavens, surrounded by a mighty city. The well-known Old Testament story of the Tower of Babel ends in great irony. The language of the people is confused, the building project is left unfinished, and the people are dispersed across the face of the earth (the very thing they feared would happen). The unfinished tower and the city around it, intended to immortalize the greatness of the people of Shinar, becomes a monument to their foolishness and their names are forgotten. Can you name any of the great architects, engineers, and contractors of Shinar? No, there is only one name from the story that lives on – God.

The glory of God is a major theme in the Old Testament. God is seen as superior to people in every way. As the creator, everything that is alive stands a testament to his power and glory. In contrast, the achievements of man seem laughable. The wise poet and preacher, whose great accomplishments are detailed in his memoirs, remarks that, in the end, human achievement is “vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). There is only one thing that matters, says the preacher, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV).

We are not here to make name for ourselves. We are here to honor God and lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven. This is what truly matters – not our career, our legacy, our achievements, or our name. It is not about us.