Are young people now remembering their Creator?

 Posted at Reformation Scotland:

A recent poll of 10,000 people in Britain has shown that 62% of people aged 18–24 would call themselves “very” or “fairly” spiritual, compared to just 35% of those aged over 65. Meanwhile, only 13% of 18–24-year-olds call themselves atheists, compared to a quarter of those aged 45–54 and 55–64.

Although this may signal a new form of openness among younger people, it does not mean that this generation are turning back to God. When asked how they “feed their sense of the spiritual,” people were more likely to mention “enjoying nature” or “mindfulness” than “participating in religious practices.” Of this age group, 40% identified themselves as Christian, and 21% as Muslim. Young people are also said to have a growing interest in astrology, while they find organised religion “fluffy” and unwilling to engage with hard questions.

Yet, although spirituality may offer some calm and comfort in life, it is too vague and individualistic to bring us true happiness. Long ago, the preacher Solomon offered wise advice to young people to orient themselves to what is truly real and truly good. What can possibly give us confidence and comfort, not only for the challenges of everyday life, but to face death and the judgement which follows? “Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). More than enjoying nature, this “remembering” involves connecting with the one living and true God in a new and life-changing relationship. Alexander Nisbet explains further in the following extract from his writings on Solomon’s wisdom in the Book of Ecclesiastes.

The intention of Solomon the Preacher is to stir people up to make timely preparation for death and judgment. He urges us to do the one thing that mainly makes people fit to appear before their judge, “Remember thy Creator.”

“Remembering” God is frequently mentioned in Scripture, and it means that we should labour to entertain clear thoughts of the attributes of God, particularly those which are usually blessed for leading people to repentance (Ps. 22:27), drawing our hearts to trust in the Lord (Psalm 20:7), and making us committed to praising Him (Psalm 97:12) and pursuing all the duties of new obedience (Deuteronomy 8:11). These include His power and terribleness (Nehemiah 4:14) and His grace and love (Song 1:4).

In urging us to remember in this way, the Preacher presents the Lord to us as Creator. This is not to exclude other considerations of Him, as if nothing else about God was useful to be remembered, but because God is naturally known to all under the consideration of Creator. Thinking of Him as our Creator is very effectual for influencing us to live to Him (seeing He is the one from whom we have our existence), and constantly to depend on Him (seeing He is the one from whom we have our daily preservation, effectively an ongoing creation).

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