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Good morning.

A few years ago, I found myself at the top of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai – the tallest building in the world.  I was there with school friends, celebrating our joint 40th birthday year, and the experience certainly offered a spectacular view over the surrounding area, as long as you had a head for heights!

It was 45 years ago today, that the CN Tower in Toronto opened, and at the time, it held the record for the tallest free standing structure.  I imagine the view from there would be equally spectacular, but I’ve never had the opportunity to visit.

No doubt, in the years ahead, something will go on to surpass the height of the current record holder, and the limits will keep on being pushed and stretched.

I sometimes wonder what lies behind the drive to be the tallest?  The same question I suppose could be asked about other things – the drive to be the fastest, the biggest, the most expensive… 

There is much skill and talent that goes into building high, and while there will always be wonder in such feats of human engineering, the greater good is perhaps served by building in a different way – building community, friendships, openness and structures that are accessible and sustainable for all. 

I recently heard someone say this of the table of the world that we all share – we need it to be wider, not taller.

Building outwards rather than just upwards offers a different perspective, that doesn’t view things from up on high, but instead recognises we are all part of what we see, and we take part in shaping the world around us.

God of creativity, you have given us tools and talents to benefit all people.  Help us to build each day for a better world, where we can each play our part in caring for your creation.  Amen.