Welcome to BibleStudyMinistry.com, an online Bible Supplement Source; today we have a wisdom scriptures study titled, Let’s Enjoy The Good Things We Have Now. In my opinion, the ‘YOLO’ mentality (YOLO stands for You Only Live Once) is an idea sown deeply into today’s social clothing. It’s the voice whispering to many youth, ‘Seize the day, for tomorrow we may die!’ and it certainly has its appeal. This isn’t just about seeking pleasure; it’s also about a profound response to the brevity of life.
There is no question, that life is brief; the patriarch Akobe (Jacob in the KJV scriptures) once told the then Pharaoh how his life was. He said, in Genesis 47:9), “My days have been few and evil.” Akobe lived 130 years according to the Genesis record, and he was cross that he hadn’t lived as long as his fathers. So it is certainly understood today that life is brief.
You’re going to find out why we’re attracted to the fleeting, why we toast with expensive wine, adorn ourselves with the latest trends, and seek out the most exclusive experiences. It’s more than indulgence; it’s the human condition’s response to understanding that our time is limited.
Real-world examples are everywhere.
From bucket lists filled with extreme adventures to the thriving nightlife scenes in major cities, chasing the ephemeral is a global phenomenon. Social media amplifies this by showcasing a parade of others indulging in their momentary delights, fueling our FOMO* and pushing us towards similar pursuits.
A lot is happening very quickly inside our minds when we chase these temporary highs. Psychology tells us that the anticipation of pleasure releases dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of enjoyment and reinforcement to go after a ‘reward.’ Thus begins the cycle of seeking out the next high, the next adventure.
But delight has its price. Hedonism—making pleasure the sole or chief good in life—can lead to a range of unfavorable outcomes. It can sideline our health, disrupt our financial stability, and even skew our societal values towards the superficial.
Does this sound or look familiar?
I’m here to help you navigate these tempting waters. It’s essential to understand that enjoyment isn’t the enemy. On the contrary, it’s part of a full life—but it’s about balance. I’m going to show you how to embrace life’s pleasures without being consumed by them, to live deeply as well as joyfully.
Transient Triumphs and Eternal Echoes: Seeking Substance over Shadows
Now let’s contemplate how we can seek substance for a meaningful existence rather than just chasing shadows. Accepting that our time is finite, it’s only natural to desire a life filled with joy and pleasures. But it’s crucial to ponder on the legacy we leave behind. How do we ensure that our life’s fleeting moments amount to more than just memories?
I’m going to show you how ‘pleasure with a purpose’ isn’t just a catchy phrase but a way of living that can fill our existence with profound satisfaction. We can start with how we are choosing activities. We can and should select activities that not only feel good in the moment but also contribute to our personal growth. They should contribute to the well-being of others, or the improvement of our world; this is the way our activities can make all the difference.
You’re going to find out about individuals who struck a balance between the thrills of the moment and the pursuit of enduring happiness. These are the folks who’ve savored their rosebuds but also planted gardens for others to enjoy long after.
I’m here to help you see that it’s not about renouncing joy, but about enriching it.
By participating in actions that create positive ripples of results. By doing this, we extend the value of our moments into waves that can carry forward, impacting lives beyond our own. Emphasize the ‘good’ in ‘good times’ by ensuring that our actions lead to a positive legacy.
Choose something that resonates with you, be it through art, community service, or simply being there for someone in need. In doing so, we find that joy becomes more than just a spark—it turns into a lamp that illuminates our path and the paths of those around us.
The wicked have FOMO and this amplifies the YOLO life. YOLO has the foundational belief that our current life is all we have. It fosters the idea that once gone, we’re gone and would have missed out on all the fun rides, relationships, and fancy cars we could have had. A lack of belief in the Almighty Creator, we believe, is a major catalyst that inspires this train of thought!
In the Wisdom of Solomon, it was written:
“Our name shall be forgotten in time, and no man shall have our works in remembrance, and our life shall pass away as the trace of a cloud, and shall be dispersed as a mist, that is driven away with the beams of the sun, and overcome with the heat thereof (2:4).”
This verse is very poetic but also shares the sentiments of why we could have the desire to jump out of an airplane.
“Come on therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are present: and let us speedily use the creatures like as in youth (2:6).”
The ideology that our time is like a shadow that passes with no return is a bleak thought. This ideology would spur on thoughts of enjoying the present moment of the good things. This becomes the philosophy of the Godless: Let us use other people to get our joy. We could fill ourselves with expensive wine and ointments, and adorn ourselves with rosebuds. We should not go without our portion of the voluptuous lifestyle.
Pull out your phone and record the moment, the meal, the view, and share it with others. Why? Because we may die tomorrow and never see it again. Let us also oppress the poor righteous man and woman.
Say what?
Yes, do not spare the widow or her fatherless children, take advantage of the ancient gray-haired person. Use the law for injustice and let it be our strength because those who are feeble are not worth it. Yes, we will lie in wait for the righteous; he is contrary to our ways. He is for defending the oppressed and objects to our infamy and ideals.
Most importantly, the righteous professes to know the Great Creator. Yes, he calls himself a child of the Almighty. He was made to correct our thoughts, so we must get rid of him and enjoy our lives.
These are the thoughts of a nonbeliever and further, the thoughts of the wicked.
As we conclude, remember that your first attempt at finding this balance doesn’t need to be your last. Life is a journey of learning and adaptation. Embrace the party of life but in a way that enriches not just your story, but the story of humanity. That, in my opinion, is how we truly make our mark and enjoy the good things we have now.
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Power be with you.
Minister Koko
Consul General, AKOPPI
*FOMO is the acronym for Fear Of Missing Out: it creates anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on social media.
