Sometimes, I come across a book, article, or blog post that states the point I want to say so well that about all I can do give them the credit and quote them! This happened for me earlier this week when I was reading the weekly email update from Redeemer Presbyterian’s West Side congregation. It was written by Reverend David Bisgrove. If you have followed this blog for some time you know that when in New York visiting Laura’s brother, this is where we worshipped. (note: Her brother recently moved to Miami so I’m sure our New York trips are going to be few and far between now!)

Anyway, I think that those of you with Facebook or Instagram accounts will be able to relate to what Rev. Bisgrove wrote about. I am really sure this probably even impacts your kids (or grandkids if you are a grandparent) exponentially more than you! Check this out:

“Today marks the unofficial end of summer, and the end of what one recent article entitled “On Instagram, the Summer You’re Not Having” (by Valeriya Safronova in the 8/19/15 edition of the New York Times) called the “prime side effect for the millions of people who have Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or Snapchat accounts” the Fear of Missing Out (#FOMO). In other words the constant stream of primarily upbeat curated images we post and peruse over time can, according to a study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, create envy as they make us feel that the “mundane middle” in which we live most of our lives is somehow inferior.

As I reflected on the article in light of the start of another ministry year I was reminded that it is in the mundane middle where we most model and glorify Jesus (emphasis mine). It is through the sacred mundane acts of compassion and kindness, prayer and worship, sacrifice and forgiveness–done in Jesus’ name that God’s Kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). So no matter what your situation, know that God has gifted and called you to live in light of the one whose “social media profile” would have included this description: “he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2).”

So, what are your thoughts about this? What can we do to let others–mainly those 40 and under, but anyone can fall into this trap–realize that life isn’t always going to be a great event or a really great time? The vast majority of life falls into the “mundane middle” and that is usually where we can best be the salt and light for the world.

I needed to hear this message myself this week. My problem isn’t that I get jealous about social media posts, but rather that I tend to forget that life and work can at times be really difficult. Somehow, I still get surprised by this! Thank God for some great friends who pray for me and keep me grounded!! I hope and pray you have people like that in your life. If you do, why not take some time this week and thank them!

More to come…
Jeremy