If you're of young blood, you likely have seen the hashtag #YOLO. It's a simple acronym for "You Only Live Once", allegedly popularized by the rapper Drake (who apparently should not be confused with a male duck). Generally, this hashtag/phrase is applied as a reason that someone is doing something crazy, stupid, awesome, or meaningful. For example, someone may say/tweet/post "Spent all my Christmas money on McRibs. #YOLO." Got it? Let's break down what this simple phrase may tell us about ourselves and our beliefs.
On one hand, I totally and completely agree with #YOLO. Why, you ask? Because, in and of itself, the statement is true and biblical! As a matter of fact, each individual only lives once. The Bible teaches that we live and die once- "It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment." (Hebrews 9:27). "What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes..." (James 4:14). So it's good and healthy for us to realize that we only have one life, and we are not sure how long or short our lives will be.
On the other hand, I totally and completely disagree with how our culture applies #YOLO to daily life. In #YOLO, the truth that we only have one life to live is used as a constant reason to live however we want to live in the moment. Wanna be crazy? YOLO! Wanna be immoral? YOLO! Wanna be daring? YOLO! Our culture preaches "You only live once! Therefore, be your own king and do whatever feels great or whatever feels meaningful to you at any given moment."
You only live once, and that is demonstrably true. This simple truth, however, cannot tell you how to live, whom to follow, or what is truly meaningful. The fact that we only live once should not lead us toward irresponsible or irrational living. No, it should drive us to serious reflection on what truly matters, on the purpose of life, and on the God that created us, the God that loves us, and the God that will ask us to give an account for how we lived our one life.
Solomon contemplated and wrote much on the idea of #YOLO 3000 years before Drake, in the book of Ecclesiastes. And his conclusion?
"The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
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