Each one should test his own actions.  Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load (Galatians 6:4-5).

Wait a minute.

Didn’t Paul just say–like Tuesday–that we are to carry each other’s burdens?

Then why is he now saying that, “Each one should carry his own load?”

This kind of stuff drives me bonky.

It seems to me, if I may be so bold, that the context of verse 2 (from Tuesday) is accountability and teamwork and helping each other through the spiritual rough patches.  Today’s verses are dealing with our ultimate responsibility before God.  

Look, fellowship is important.  Teamwork is important.  Being there for each other–important.

But

Ultimately, your walk with God is your walk.  No one can do it for you.  No one can make the choices or pray the prayers or read the scriptures or spend the time.  It’s yours, Beloved.

Comparing your relationship with God to someone else’s is pointless, for two reasons:

a) You don’t really know what’s going on in their head.  People like to put the best face on things.  We sometimes call that “lying.” Seriously, do you think all those Facebook smiles are real? When you compare yourself to someone else, what you’re really doing is comparing your real, flawed, honest down-in-the-depths-of-my-soul self to their social-media-plastic-smile-head-tilted-here’s-what-I’m-gonna-show-you-cause-there’s-no-way-on-Earth-I’ll-dare-let-you-think-I’m-not-as-cool-as-you-are surface self. You can’t compete with that…nor should you want to.

b) God has called you to your path, not theirs. And that is a glorious thing. It means that the Lord of the Universe has spent energy designing a life for you.

Yeah, you

So live that life.

Walk that walk.

Be that being.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.