There is a drive inside of many people that wants their name to be known by others.  They want to be well-known, recognized, and adored. For some, this is about fame with its pleasures, and for others, it is about money, and still, others long for power.

I will admit, it feels good to walk into a room of your peers and have them whispering to each other because of something you have accomplished.  A sense of satisfaction comes with having other people recognize your work in whatever field you find yourself.  Even Christians feel something when they are known by others for their good deed. 

Social media has magnified this desire.  If we can share the right information, make a great video or say something witty, we can move from obscurity into a place of recognition.  The rush that comes with having 100 people like your post increases with 1,000 or 10,000 or more. 

There can be a problem for believers in our quest to be known, or as some people call it, enlarge our platform.  The concern is, “Whose kingdom are you building?” Are you seeking to get your name known or make the name of Jesus famous?

Back in the Old Testament, there is a story from the early days of humanity.  Everyone is speaking the same language, and they start talking.  This is what the Bible says happened next.

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.” (Genesis 11:4 – NIV 2011)

The people wanted to build a city and make their name great, above the name of God. The result is he confused their language, and the people were scattered.  The differences in our language are a reminder of the limits of building our own kingdoms. 

My encouragement is quite simple, the next time you engage in social media or take on a project, ask yourself, “Do I want to be known by others, or do I want others to know God?”