YOLO . . . You Only Live Once!
“What we do in life echoes in eternity.” Maximus from the movie Gladiator
YOLO or “You only live once” is a common expression which often affirms selfish behavior focused on the present. Instead, YOLO ought to inspire believers to selfless behavior focused on the future. Why? Christ-followers understand YOLO is actually true. . . You do only live once, but that one life will last forever . . . in one of two places. We all live first on earth and then either with Christ in heaven or without Christ in hell. Our one life starts here on earth, but it does not end here.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God has put eternity into man’s heart. Eternity is in our hearts, whether we acknowledge it or not. Faith in God directs believers to live from the understanding that eternity is real and that life on earth is short. Believers live with the perspective that life on earth is a dress rehearsal for something greater, something much grander.
While living this one life here on earth, we choose if we will spend our eternity with Christ or without Him. Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and answers and lets me in, I will come into him and eat with him.”[1] Jesus does not force anyone to choose Him. He leaves the choice to us.
Much older than YOLO is this adage: “Only one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” Believers understand the way we live now also affects the rewards we will receive later. Paul warns the work of our lives will be tested by fire and only that which is built upon Christ’s foundation will last.[2] As we live our lives on earth, we want to make sure we are investing for our eternal future.
One of the best ways to invest for the future is to impact others who will also live for eternity. Where will our family, friends, co-workers, teachers, and neighbors live forever? What about those yet unreached with the Gospel? When we stop and consider where Joe from work or Natalie who lives next door will spend eternity, it should affect the way we live today. The reality of so many unreached people groups still without access to Christ’s love should impact our lifestyle. One of the greatest rewards we will experience in heaven will be meeting people whose lives we have impacted with Christ’s love. What a phenomenal eternal reward!
How will we invest the time, talents, and resources we have during the years we live on earth? Will we use these resources to share Christ’s love? Will we focus on momentary happiness and thrills, or will we set our eyes on eternal treasures? Daniel encourages us, “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the day above and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.”[3] May we shine like the stars forever and ever in eternity.
It is often said at funerals that the deceased person has gone from the land of the living to the land of the dead. But the opposite is actually much truer. The person who dies on earth goes from the land of the dead to the land of the living! Both my parents have entered heaven, and they are more alive now than they were when they walked on earth. They are living in perfect joy in a place more beautiful and amazing than we could ever imagine. They are reaping the rewards of living for Christ and investing in others. YOLO. You only live once. May we all live each day with eternity in our hearts!
[1] Revelation 3:20
[2] 1 Corinthians 3:13
[3] Daniel 12:3