Today is a bit different devotional. I don’t think I’ve mentioned this before, that, as one teacher told me, there are two kinds of people on earth: the YOLOs and YLFs.

The YOLO are those who operate by the philosophy of “You Only Live Once,” so live it up. Entertainment, travel, riches, comfort and self-centeredness reign. A YOLO person doesn’t think very far ahead, mostly just to the next exciting thing. Some go from one party to the other, one thrill to the next. I would say that the majority of college students are YOLOs. If it feels good do it. Thinking is not a high value, feeling is. Suffering is viewed as bad, tragedy is greeted with “How could a good God allow this?”

The Word has something to say about this. “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.” Psalm 53:1

The YLF are those who reside in the truth that as a believer in and follower of Jesus, “You Live Forever.” The focus is not on pleasure, entertainment, self-centeredness, comfort or getting more and more. Instead of “name it and claim it” worldview, the Words of Jesus show the way: “If any man would be my disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.” Follow Him because He knows where He is going when we don’t. A YLF focuses on what will last for eternity and is willing to leave behind what is going to end up on the garbage heap of time anyway.

The rewards Christ offers for following Him are at least as real as what HE gives us in this life. Suffering is seen as the opportunity to grow, mature and be more useful. As it says in 1 Peter 1:6-7 “…now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials SO THAT the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in PRAISE AND GLORY AND HONOR at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” This is what He promises to those who live for eternity.

The difference between a YOLO and a YLF can be summed up in Proverbs 17:24 “Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.” The fool looks at what is on the earth, the YLF looks to the One who gives wisdom and gets understanding of time and eternity.

Let’s reject the YOLO worldview and become YLFs adopting the worldview of Jesus.