YOLO - You only live once

I recently taught a Wednesday Night lesson to my teen group on "YOLO" or "You Only Live Once."  In modern culture (or at least the limited portion of it that I have been exposed to) the term YOLO (You Only Live Once) has been a justification for Hedonism.  Live it up.  Eat, Drink and Be Merry for tomorrow we will die.  I think the YOLO idea is best captured in Miley Cyrus.  The "go around naked, do MDMA and live it up, crowd has stolen the YOLO idea.

It is true to we will only live once.  The Bible teaches in Hebrews 9:27 that each person has been appointed a time to die.  We only have so long on this earth.  My idea and challenge to my teens was "YOLO"- so make it count.  You will only have one go around in this life.  Do something that will outlast you, do something to help others.  The YOLO crowd tells our culture to give in to your desires, fulfill your wishes and needs.  You only have one chance at this so live it up.

One man explored the YOLO concept in greater depth than any other person who has lived. King Solomon wrote about his experiences in the book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament of the Bible.  In Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 he explained exactly how he lived it up (and he did it better than anyone in history).  He built Amusement Parks for himself (imagine having Disney and Six Flags as your backyard), he hired singers for himself (He didn't need an IPOD, if he wanted to listen to music he hired the performers and had a concert), he built magnificent houses, a spectacular temple and other great works.  He had 700 wives and 300 concubines (think sex workers at his personal disposal).  He used drugs and alcohol in abundance.  He said that anything he wanted, he had.  Nothing that he desired was denied him in his pursuit of happiness through pleasure. At the end of the chapter, after listing all of his pursuits he said "It is like chasing after the wind."  He realized that pleasures and even pleasures in abundance cannot bring happiness.  No matter how hard you embrace the YOLO lifestyle you will be left empty, struggling and battling many issues.

What is the answer then?  How can we be happy, satisfied and make the most of the our One Life?  Let's turn again to Solomon and see what he says.  In Ecclesiastes 12:12 He says after everything has been heard the secret to a great life is "Love God and Serve Him."  Realize that you are on earth for a reason.  You are not an accident and you can have peace and satisfaction.  You can make a difference.  Embrace the YOLO lifestyle and realize that you will only live once, so make a difference with your life.

What's the Big Idea?

What's the big idea?  That usually gets shouted out at me as I am in a hurry in a store and come within inches of smashing someone with my cart or driving too fast or erratically.  It usually has a very negative connotation to be asked "What's the big idea?"  Let's look at that question in a different light in this post.

What is the big idea of the group you lead?  Whether a church, team, family, business or other organization we are all leaders.  Take a look at a specific area that you lead.  Ask the question "What is the big idea? in this leadership role.  If you could only have one idea, one concept, one mission in each leadership role, what would it be?  What would be the one idea that defined your business?  Your Classroom?  Your team?  Your Church?  I know that each leadership position carries many different roles and functions.  Each group of people we lead requires many different things from us.  I will list a few of my leadership roles and describe the different requirements of that position and the one word that we try to accomplish in each position.  If, like me, you have trouble coming up with one BIG IDEA for each position, really think about it and how you would define the mission to an outsider.  This exercise may help you to refine exactly what it is you want to accomplish in that organization.

Role:

PSU Mont Alto Women's Basketball Coach:  Some of the basic tasks that I have to do each day/week in this position include game and practice scheduling, recruiting, academic monitoring, budgeting and financial management, planning travel and many other tasks.  The BIG IDEA here is EXCELLENCE.  We strive to be excellent in every facet of things we do.  We preach excellence over success.  Excellence requires practice and preparation, whereas success can happen to anyone from time to time.  Excellence puts the focus on us, success puts the focus on being just slightly better than others.

Father and Husband:  I have a million things to do each day to be a Father and Husband.  The one Big IDEA that I am focusing on in this area is TIME.  I want to be there for my two boys and my wife.  TIME, in large chunks makes a huge difference in the lives of my family.  My presence provides stability, peace and comfort.

Youth Leader at The Open Door Church:  My one BIG IDEA here is SERVICE.  I want to serve the kids that I have the privilege to lead.  I want the kids to grasp and seek after a life of service.  That is the reason we are on earth.  To serve God and serve His people.

Hopefully that gives you an idea of the ONE BIG IDEA concept and how to define your leadership roles.  I know that thinking through these ideas today as I was out and about this morning has helped me gain clarity and a renewed sense of purpose in each of my leadership roles.