'You only live once'

Wow. I'm graduating high school in nine days. Now, I realize that some graduated a long time ago, and think that it's not that big a deal in the scheme of life. But, right now, it's a huge deal. I'm turning eighteen this summer. I'm moving out. I'm going to college. I'm even hopefully, finally, getting a drivers license. So here I am. I've always known that the choices I make matter, that I should do the right thing. But now everything seems so much more important. At this point, the decisions I make have lifelong consequences. I can change the entire course of my life with the choices I make this year. Right? Everyday I look at all the other seniors I'm around and I wonder where we'll be in a year, in five, in twenty. I mean, a lot of us don't take life that seriously. One phrase regarding this that drives me crazy is 'You only live once!'. Now, on the surface that seems completely true, and not something up for debate. However, it's frequently used as an excuse to make bad decisions. Like, someone is about to do something stupid and they say 'Well, hey, you only live once!' But... Well, if you only live once.... Don't you want to live well? Why would you throw away the one life you have? I mean, I want to live a good, purposeful, meaningful life! I want to do good things, help other people, laugh constantly, love deeply! So, why would I waste time on doing stupid things because I only live once? You only live once. So use every day, every moment to change the world for the better. Look at every person as a precious creation of God. Look at every situation as a way to bring glory to God. Don't waste time thinking about yourself, about what you think might make you happy. God has a wonderful plan for your life, and when you follow it, and serve Him, you'll be filled with more joy than you can imagine. You only live once, but, when this earthly life fades there's eternity. Where are you spending it? Heaven or hell- it's one or the other. Maybe you already know you're going to be with Jesus- but what about the people around you? What if we're so caught up in trying to have fun that we miss the chance to share Christ with others? What if you're so caught up in yourself that you let people around you die, and go to hell, because you were to busy partying to tell them about the love of God? You only live once- live in His love. 'It would be crazy to choose this world over eternity.' -Mercy Me