Dwight Fletcher | Y.O.L.O. - Live to win

The term YOLO is the acronym for 'you only live once'. Popularised by rapper Drake around 2011, it was a pop culture call to throw caution to the wind to enjoy and live life however you want, regardless of the consequences.  
Seven years on, we are seeing that largely as a result of the YOLO lifestyle, some of our young adults have becoming alcoholics, diabetics, HIV positive or lost their lives in reckless motor vehicle accidents. Living life doing whatever we want, gets us nowhere.   
The truth is that God planned for us to enjoy life. Jesus Christ says, "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." John 10:10 NLT. He died to secure the best life for you, but you have to be deliberate in how you live it physically, intellectually, financially and relationally.
The Bible in 1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." So, how can you live your life in such a way that you win in the race of life?
Here are a few suggestions on how winner do that:

1.    WINNERS HAVE A CLEAR GOAL
A clear and compelling goal in life helps to keep us focussed and motivated against the odds. As people, we are hardwired with some goals:  
a.    A Life of Significance: At some point, we all think, "I want my life to count." It may look as different as growing a prosperous business or caring for the poor. God put that desire there: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10 NKJV. That is, for instance, why social media activism has grown so significantly in the last five years. A cyber hashtag like #NeverAgain led to the outdoor movement March For Our Lives in the US because we all want our lives to matter.
b. A Life of Excitement: The second concern that drives so many of us in life is excitement. Many are afraid that on their final night, they will look back and realise that life was risk-free and boring. But there is nothing more exciting than a life lived for God!
It is strange that we have accepted a cultural Christianity that implies that we must be boring and invisible. But first century Christianity was definitely not boring when the church prayed, and buildings shook. Or, when the Apostle Peter's shadow passed over sick people and they were healed. YOLO means lots of movement with no momentum, but following Jesus satisfies our thirst for adventure. We have just one life and we must make it count.

2. WINNERS OBSERVE THE CORRECT RULES
To successfully compete in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Football tournament, coaches and players must have an awareness and understanding of the 140 page Laws of the Game rulebook. To break certain rules could forfeit your right of play or even your opportunity to win the game.  
Similarly, God has set the rules by which we should live, to win at the game of life. "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1 John 5:11-12 NIV. If we want to live life to the max, we will only find it in His Son. Those are the rules and that should be our goal.  
The YOLO lifestyle is a short-lived thrill with possible horror-show endings. You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. Next week we will look at how winners train and the value they place on the prize.