In Genesis 11:1-9, Moses recounts the story of the city of Babel. Many years after the flood, people began to settle in the region of Shinar. They decided that they wanted to make a name for themselves and began to build a city with a tower that would lead into the heavens. Since they had one language, they were virtually unstoppable.

What made them unstoppable? It was not that they had amazing masonry skills or a keen sense of architecture. It was that they spoke the same language and had the same purpose. They were not going out doing their own thing. They were unified in their common purpose. Granted, they were pursuing a purely self-centered, anti-God purpose. But, they were unified as they were going after it. In fact, they were so unified in their purpose and goal, that God came said,

One people, one language; why, this is only a first step. No telling what they’ll come up with next—they’ll stop at nothing! Come, we’ll go down and garble their speech so they won’t understand each other.”

This is how the city became known as Babel, or babble. God confused their speech so their plan would be destroyed.

What can we learn from this? If you want to succeed, speak the same language. Go after a common goal. Don’t set out to do your own thing. Find out what your leader wants and get everyone else on board to make it happen. If you are following a Godly leader who pursues God’s plans then nothing is impossible. God would not have scattered the people of Babel if they were honoring Him. He scattered them because they were making a name for themselves. They wanted to control their own destinies.

So the question then arises, “How do I become a better leader without becoming self-centered.” Jim Wideman recently wrote,

If you want to grow to be a better leader, start my showing your esteem and trust to the authorities God has placed in your life. Don’t give any place to the “us vs. them thinking that is way too common… Choose to value their input and the wisdom God has given them. You can put too much confidence in yourself and your own abilities. The truth is we need others. Authority does not hinder and bind. It sets you free to achieve! People don’t want to release power to people that don’t esteem leadership. What authorities in your life do you need to show honor and esteem? It’s a great starting place to help you go to a new level of leadership.”

If you will esteem the leaders in your life and speak their language, nothing is impossible. Whether at work, home, church or school learn the language of your leader. What does your boss want? What is it that your teacher is looking for? What is the language of your corporation? What is the heart of your pastor?

If you can ever get your whole team to speak the same language and then go after a goal that honors God, nothing will be held back from you… nothing.