Christians
have had a strong response to this new labeling of an old theme.
We've said you shouldn't make rash choices, that you really live
twice (this world and the next), and that to say and live YOLO is to
undervalue yourself.
But
what if the world has the right idea? Now before you stone me, let
me explain. Ultimately, YOLO is about making the most of today.
Now, the world's definition of “making the most” should be far
different from ours, but what's wrong with living like today could be
our last? We have one chance on this earth, one, and the Bible says
it is a vapor. We have one shot to live as agents for Christ in this
world. I think the majority of Western Christians are too
careful. Why don't we take more risks for our Lord? We are
terrified of what people will think of us, afraid of rejection. We
have careers and reputations to uphold, and what if risking it all
ended in losing it all? What would we do? How would we live? But
God promises that He will take care of us. He knows when each
sparrow falls, and we are more precious to Him than many sparrows.
The apostle Paul writes
to the Philippian church, “...my earnest expectation and hope that
in nothing shall I now be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always,
so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or
by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” All
that mattered to Paul was that Christ was visibly evident in his
words and actions. Not only did he not care whether he had much or
little to live on (Philippians 4:12), whether his life ended or
continued wasn't even a source of concern or worry. And lest you
think that, 'Well, that's just dandy for Paul. He lived in the first
century and probably didn't have much to lose in the first place,'
let me remind of you his life and accomplishments up until Jesus
knocked him off his horse on the road to Damascus. “If
anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:
circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of
Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness
which is in the law, blameless.” He had it made. But he gave it
all up. He saw that Christ was a worthy cause and he only had one
life to give. He understood YOLO at its finest.
So
what does that mean for us? Obviously we shouldn't all become
tent-makers and sail the Mediterranean, but I'm sure we could all
rearrange our priorities a little, myself included. What are some
things that really aren't as important as we make them out to be?
What would you do for the Kingdom of God if today really was your
last? Remember, you only live once.
