Jonathan Chu is an incredible musician. He played violin for Christian rock band Skillet for years and later, with worship artist, Kari Jobe. Even he is not immune to the chaotic collection of ups-and-downs that is social media.

We love what he wrote about finding our worth online and spotting the lies we start believing while scrolling Instagram.

Jonathan wrote this on Instagram:

“You are worth more than what you think Instagram says you are.

Playing violin is one of the most “real” things in life for me. It helps my tired heart and soul cry and weep. It let’s emotions in my mind and heart have ways to wordlessly moan. I’ve felt a lot of that lately. This post is really for me but hopefully it helps you too.

As much as I love seeing the world through social media it is also, for me, the greatest source of lies. It tells me that because I’m not on the road as much that I am no longer a valid musician. It lies to me that I am not living my “best life“ because I’m not wandering foreign streets, eating exotic foods or taking photos of the most unique of locations. It lies to me that my friends seem complete and happy with their laughing faces, dressed all fashionable and their kids all smiling in family photos.

Look up! If you are staring at your screen all day wishing about “another life” LOOK UP! Things around you that are right in front of you IS life, you ARE living your best life! Because you are living right now! You are valid human being that has a major impact on the people around you, your life is important. I’m thankful for the window I get to see through to the other side of the world, the cultures of the world – they’re incredible and beautiful and I hope to taste and see more of it one day. And for every one of those super incredible photos – a thousand images and edits were taken before the one posted and kids bribed with a trip to the toy isle were made.

We weren’t made to observe in this world, we were made to live! Live life wherever you are right now. Find the things of life happening in your place, right now!”

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TL;DR – You are worth more than what you think Instagram says you are. • Playing violin is one of the most “real” things in life for me. It helps my tired heart and soul cry and weep. It let’s emotions in my mind and heart have ways to wordlessly moan. I’ve felt a lot of that lately. This post is really for me but hopefully it helps you too. • As much as I love seeing the world through social media it is also, for me, the greatest source of lies. It tells me that because I’m not on the road as much that I am no longer a valid musician. It lies to me that I am not living my “best life“ because I’m not wandering foreign streets, eating exotic foods or taking photos of the most unique of locations. It lies to me that my friends seem complete and happy with their laughing faces, dressed all fashionable and their kids all smiling in family photos. • Look up! If you are staring at your screen all day wishing about “another life” LOOK UP! Things around you that are right in front of you IS life, you ARE living your best life! Because you are living right now! You are valid human being that has a major impact on the people around you, your life is important. I’m thankful for the window I get to see through to the other side of the world, the cultures of the world – they’re incredible and beautiful and I hope to taste and see more of it one day. And for every one of those super incredible photos – a thousand images and edits were taken before the one posted and kids bribed with a trip to the toy isle were made. • We weren’t made to observe in this world, we were made to live! Live life wherever you are right now. Find the things of life happening in your place, right now!

A post shared by Jonathan Chu (@chuviolin) on Aug 22, 2018 at 10:20am PDT