REMEMBER YOUR CREATOR

A Response to "Remember Your Creator"

The Call to Remember

The book of Ecclesiastes gives a solemn and urgent call: "Don't let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, 'Life is not pleasant anymore.'" This is not a command for the elderly alone; it is a command for the young. It is a call to remember God while we still have the energy, the passion, and the opportunity to serve Him. Youth is a time of strength, vitality, and potential. It is a season when we can pour out our lives for God without the limitations that come with age. But youth is also a time of distraction. The excitement of youth can cause us to forget our Creator. The pleasures of the world can crowd out the presence of God. The ambitions of the flesh can overshadow the purposes of the Spirit. So we are urged to honor God while we have the youthful energy to do so. Do not linger until you reach old age. Always remember Him.

The Dimming of the Light

The writer paints a vivid picture of old age. The light of the sun, moon, and stars grows dim to your old eyes. Rain clouds continually darken your sky. Your legs, the guards of your house, begin to tremble. Your shoulders, the strong men, stoop. Your teeth, your few remaining servants, stop grinding. Your eyes, the women looking through the windows, see dimly. The door to life's opportunities is closed, and the sound of work fades. You rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds grow faint. You become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets. Your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper. The caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. You near the grave, your everlasting home, where the mourners will weep at your funeral. This is the picture of old age. It is not a pleasant picture, but it is an honest one. It reminds us that youth is fleeting. It reminds us that the time to serve God is now.

The Breaking of the Silver Cord

The writer continues: "Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don't wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it." The silver cord snaps. The golden bowl breaks. The water jar is smashed. The pulley is broken. These are poetic descriptions of death. Life is fragile. It is a cord that can snap at any moment. It is a bowl that can shatter. It is a jar that can be broken. We do not know when our time will come. We do not know when the silver cord will snap. That is why we must remember our Creator now. That is why we must honor Him in our youth. We cannot wait until we are old. We cannot wait until we are sick. We cannot wait until it is too late. The time to remember God is now.

The Final Conclusion

The book of Ecclesiastes ends with a powerful conclusion: "Finally, fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad." The fear of God is not a cowering fear; it is a reverent awe. It is a recognition of who God is and who we are. It is a submission to His authority and a commitment to His commands. Obedience is not optional; it is everyone's duty. And judgment is certain. God will judge us for everything we do—including every secret thing. Nothing is hidden from His sight. Every thought, every motive, every action will be brought to light. That is why we must remember our Creator. That is why we must honor Him in our youth. That is why we must live in the fear of God and obey His commands.

Final Reflection

Remember your Creator. Do not let the excitement of youth cause you to forget Him. Honor Him now, while you have the strength and the opportunity. Do not wait until the silver cord snaps. Do not wait until the golden bowl breaks. Do not wait until the water jar is smashed. Remember Him now. Fear God and obey His commands. This is your duty. This is your purpose. And this is the path to life that is truly life.

Prayer for Remembering Our Creator

Lord, help me to remember You now, while I am young. Do not let the excitement of youth cause me to forget You. Help me to honor You with my strength, my energy, and my passion. Keep me from waiting until I am old to serve You. Help me to fear You and obey Your commands. I know that You will judge me for everything I do. Help me to live in a way that pleases You. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.