Across the Pastor’s Desk by Nancy Overgaard

Whatever happened to old-fashioned self-discipline and self-control?

During spring break, it was reported that a quarter of a million college students flocked to Florida to spend the week engaging in extreme drinking, promiscuity and drug use. It was also reported that behavior is not an aberration but is characteristic of weekend activity on college campuses throughout the nation.

One reporter noted the unrestrained self-indulgence is rooted in a life philosophy so prevalent among young adults it has its own entry in the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia. There we learn this way of thinking is promoted in graffiti, tattoos and even logos on hats and T-shirts.

Known by the acronym YOLO, the idea that since “you only live once” you must make the most of it, is not new. It can be traced back at least a century.

Others would say it dates back millennia as the book of Ecclesiastes bears out, and may be as old as the world. The writer of that Old Testament book admits that much as youth today he experimented with a philosophy and lifestyle of self-indulgence, not denying himself any pleasure in life.

He also acknowledges that a life of self-indulgence brought no lasting satisfaction, whereby he tries to dissuade others from going down the same path. Yet many are determined to find out for themselves.

Some pleasures the teacher engaged in were tamer by far than many today. Gardening and building projects were among them. YOLO, as a life philosophy, is taken to frightening extremes by some who subscribe to it, Wikipedia says.

Coupled with the enticing maxim, “Don’t miss out,” YOLO fervor to experience every possible pleasure in life drives many to engage in foolish high risk behavior.

Per Wikipedia, YOLO was cited in a tweet by a 21-year-old rapper to legitimize and glamorize driving drunk at 120 mph. Moments later he died in what the Huffington Post describes as “a fiery one-car crash that killed the rapper and four others.”

YOLO, as a philosophy, failed all five, cutting their lives tragically and needlessly short. Reasonable people would ask, given that we only live once, is reckless self-indulgence really the best and most satisfying way to live? Or is there another?

George H. W. Bush exemplifies the other. Parachuting from an airplane in celebration of his 90th birthday, it is doubtful the former president would say he missed out on anything in life.

Yet notwithstanding his somewhat risky choice to skydive at 90, the elder Bush lived his life not in reckless self-indulgence but in self-discipline, self-control and even self-sacrifice. Consider the outcome.

At 90, Bush has lived 70 years longer than the five who died in a misguided attempt to live life to the fullest. At 90, he can look back with satisfaction on long and distinguished business and political careers, years of voluntary service and mentoring future leaders, a model family life and an extraordinarily loving relationship with his wife of nearly 70 years.

It is no surprise Bush is a man of deep Christian faith. God calls all of us to this kind of life. The apostle Paul wrote to a young man he was mentoring in Christian faith and leadership:

“The grace of God that brings salvation to all has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good,” Titus 2:11-14, NIV.

That is the way to not miss out.

 

Nancy Overgaard is a member of the Freeborn County Ministerial Association.