YOLO
YOLO (pronounced like “yo” of a yo-yo + low) is a popular abbreviation for the phrase, “You only live once.” The Bible says in Hebrews 9 and verse 27, “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”. That means we get ONE life to live. If you believe in The Bible, you know “YOLO” is true.
If you do a hashtag search on Instagram or Facebook you are likely to see posts about things like eating cake for breakfast, dying your hair a crazy color or going skydiving. For this generation, the phrase “YOLO” is about answering this question: What can I do right now to fulfill my desires and make my life full and happy? That sounds good, does it not? It seems to go along with phrases like “I’ll do whatever makes me happy” or “Live my life to the fullest.”Here is what I am faced with: the preceding phrases sound so enticing, but that would mean living MY life for ME. As a Christian, my life is no longer my own. First Corinthians 6 verses 19 through 20 say, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” That means that YOLO cannot about ME and MY desires, but about HIM, JESUS, HIS will and HIS mission.Am I suggesting that we never have any “fun”? No. Am I suggesting that we never have another piece of cake? Of course not! Am I suggesting that we never have any adrenaline-pumping experiences? No way! But as Christians, I think we do need to ask the question, “Who are we ‘YOLO’ing for?” Am I living a life that is me-focused, or God-focused? If you believe God is good, that He has a plan and a purpose for your life, that He works all things together for your good, then we know He does not put a fence between you and all the “good” stuff. He wants you to experience the BEST stuff with Him.You can live your best and most exciting life with Jesus, but are you willing to follow Him? Since I gave my life to Jesus, I have had the opportunity to go to Zimbabwe, marry the man of my dreams, climb Mount Kilimanjaro and impact the lives of kids all over the world. I am not saying this to point this back to me. I am telling you all this because without Jesus, I probably never would have done any of those things. With Jesus, I get to live an exciting, fulfilling and thrilling life! YOLO. For what/who are you living your ONLY life?