“Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.”

Galatians 5:25-26 (The Message)

Recently I ran into a couple of old friends and when asked how we’re doing, I responded with, “we’re a mess” meaning that life is a bit complicated and not at all what most people present in social media like Facebook. Whether it is facebook or instagram or other social media they provide a virtual world where we reconnect with old friends and families and put our best version of our life out there for all to see. I don’t post much, but when I do, you’ll see the most favorable aspects of life – a special event, a family moment, a vacation.

The trouble is that our virtual masks are often an attempt to impress others and hide our own vulnerabilities. Our weaknesses. As The Message paraphrases Paul’s words above, we are not to compare ourselves with each other “as if one of us were better and another worse.”

So as we consider what it means to live a fruitful life, let’s remember the importance of living dependently on the Spirit of God “in every detail of our lives.”