“Rejoice O young man, in your youth; and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring judgment.” Ecclesiastes 11:9

Life is a strange gift. We put so much energy into living and struggle against time and a body that gradually declines and will ultimately fails us. An existence such as ours would be a pure waste if we were merely created to exist.

Most of us live our lives as if the only purpose is to do just that — to merely exist. I know I’m dating myself, but countless people have ascribed to Neil Young’s perspective that “it’s better to burn out, than fade away.” One of my favorite bands growing up was The Who, and I can’t tell you how many times I sang “I hope I die before I get old,” at the top of my lungs and believed every word of it!

But this mentality of fast living and self-indulged destruction was not just a 1960’s or 1970’s concept. God has warned us from the beginning of time about the deadly attraction to loving our own life more than anything else.

For us to choose to live only for self results in separation from God every time.

That’s why God sent His Son to save us from ourselves, from the consequences of our selfish choices, from eternal death. How many times have you gambled with your life, just for the thrill of it?

As a history buff, I have read many books on the Founding Fathers and now often reflect on a simple pearl of wisdom from Ben Franklin, who said, “live every day like it is your first, and pray every day like it is your last.” A profound nugget of wisdom that meant nothing to me until I woke up one day and realized I was only paying attention to the first part. Looking back, what stood out was the selfish, self-destructive string of years that I wasted trying to fill up the God-shaped hole inside of me. Without a relationship with Christ, time does not heal all wounds, and the scars on your heart will remain painfully open and bloody.

Are you tired of running? Are tired of living only for you? Can you now come face to face with yourself, and admit you need a Savior? Please know you are not alone. We all need Him! Let this be your prayer today: