Dwight Fletcher: YOLO: Live to win - Pt 2

Dwight Fletcher

I think we can all agree that if you only live once, you should make it count. So, although YOLO (you only live once) has caught on as a trend for trying to squeeze as much 'fun' as possible out of life, God offers a better alternative.

Last week we began looking at how to live a life that counts and that fulfils you along the way. We observed that winners in this race of life have a clear goal and observe the rules. They still get to live a life of significance and excitement without the disheartening consequences. But there is more:

WINNERS TRAIN PROPERLY

We sometimes take for granted what our athletes have to put in to be at the peak of their performance. Not only do they have to give themselves 100 per cent to the sport, but they have to employ the proper disciplines like technique, nutrition and rest in order to win.

The same thing is true spiritually - we must apply discipline and self control if we want to win. The Apostle Paul says: "All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So, I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should." 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 NLT. Part of this training involves the 'principle of firsts'.

Give God the first part of your day: Your mind is most alert right after sleep, during that first hour of the day. So what you let into your mind during the first hour of the day is going to make a big difference in your life.

King David said to God, "Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk for I give myself to you." Psalm 143:8 NLT. This is how most of David's battles were won, long before he wielded his sword. Even Jesus spent the first part of his morning with God: "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35 NLT. I challenge you to let God's word into your mind, and your spirit in this first hour of your day.

Give God the first part of your week: That means consistent church attendance. Begin your week with others in God's house, worshipping and seeking Him. There are absolutely amazing benefits from consistent church attendance. Psalm 92:13-14 NKJV says, "Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing..." America's top research university, Johns Hopkins, supports this principle with a 30-year research project that reported that regular church attendees live longer than those who don't attend church.

Then:

WINNERS VALUE THE PRIZE

The biggest prize money in sports is in the UEFA Champions League. In 2017 the winner's prize was EU15.5 million. This would have been from separate other payments received throughout the competition. Yet, all the winners will one day die and leave it all behind. Jesus summed it up right: "What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?" (Matthew 16:26 MSG).

Jesus offers a prize that will never perish! "All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize." 1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT. It starts here and continues forever.

I believe YOLO is the cry of a generation that longs for significance. You want to be able to say "I was bold enough to do this" or; "I had the guts to do that". So today, pay the right price and take hold of the abundant life that God has offered you.