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.