Psalm 119 (2)

September 17th
Psalm 119 (2)

A light to my path

Jonathan Haidt is an American scholar who has recently written a book that is getting a lot of attention. It is called The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. The book takes dead aim at a generation who has been influenced and shaped by the advent of the smart phone which really took off in 2012.*

Haidt, a New York University professor of ethical leadership who researches social psychology and morality, goes on to argue that smartphones ignited a wildfire of anxiety and depression in gen Z around the world, by granting them “continuous access to social media, online video games, and other internet-based activities”. He says there are four foundational harms in this degradation of youth: social deprivation, sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation, and addiction.

“This great rewiring of childhood, I argue, is the single largest reason for the tidal wave of adolescent mental illness that began in the early 2010s,” he writes.

There is, in fact, a crashing wave of teenage anguish. Studies in Haidt’s book and elsewhere show an alarming surge in teenage depression, anxiety and suicide attempts from 2010 to 2023. This is happening at the same time as widespread social media and smartphone adoption.

Haidt has had an influence: more and more schools are banning smart-phone use from bell to bell (from the time the student arrives to the time they leave) and it does make a difference in students’ attention and interactions with others. To be fair, he also has his critics. I am sure I do not understand all the forces at work in current teenage angst, but even the critics agree that technology as it is used and abused today (for example the sheer amount of time and attention it exerts every day of our lives), does have, an often, outsized, if not negative influence.

What might the church have to say on this subject? Are young people (and all adults) are not immune from the power of this technology.

September is the traditional start of the church Sunday School program, along with other education programs. Building on this psalm it seems more imperative than ever that our churches become schools of character formation. With all of the distractions and detours enticing us, the church needs to be able to grow deep in faith, hope, and love in order to be contrast community to worldly values. We are called by God to be the church of Jesus Christ, a sign to the world today of what God intends for all humankind.

One of the tools to help us realize our priorities is the sustained and thoughtful study and meditation on Scripture. Psalm 119 was partially written for the instruction of, among others, young people (vs. 9). Our psalmist, in love with God, full of passionate enthusiasm, argues that attention to God’s instruction: ‘I keep your word close to my heart….’ (vs. 11) is the way to fullness of life.

Listen to the ways in which this psalmist celebrates, embraces, and commits to following the way of life offered by God:

²⁹Put false ways far from me; and graciously teach me your law.

³⁹Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Make me live by your way.

⁴⁸I revere your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.

⁵⁰This is my comfort in my distress, that your promise gives me life.

⁷²The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

¹⁰³How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

¹³¹With open mouth I pant, because I long for your commandments.

¹⁴³Trouble and anguish have come upon me, but your commandments are my delight.

Can the church foster a life-changing love of scripture that will enable all – young and old – to live in shalom, a healthy, wholistic embrace of God’s goodness and joy? A light to lead us on our way?

Linda LeBron, a Christian Educator, has written alternate words for Here I am, Lord’ for Education Sunday. May they be our prayer song going forward into a new year.

Chorus:

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard You calling me this day.

I will teach, Lord, if You lead me;

I will hold your children in my heart.

Verse 1: I, the Lord of Life and Birth,

value every age’s worth.

Nurture all I send your way; my hand will help.

Families are gifts I give. Show them holy ways to live.

Open minds and eyes to me. Who’ll teach my ways?

CHORUS

Verse 2 I, the Lord of Young and Old, want my stories to be told.

Teach them in your church and homes; I will be there.

Fill their hearts with songs to sing; let them bring their offerings.

Listen to their doubts and prayers. Who’ll teach my ways?