Be the Kid Who Includes Others Who Feel Left Out

Hey, carpool crew, whether you're buckled up in the car on the way to school, or just getting ready at the front table to start some homeschool. I'm Pastor Justin and I'm so glad you're here. Let me tell you something you might not think about much. Jesus notices the kid sitting alone, he sees the one at recess who never gets picked, the one who eats lunch by themselves and keeps their head down, the one who's always kind of on the edge of the group, but never really in it. And here's the big part. Jesus wants us to notice them too. Our verse today is from Romans chapter 12, verse 16, and here's what it says. Live a life in harmony with one another. Do not be proud. Instead, associate with the humble. What does that mean? Don't think you're too cool to be kind. Don't stay only with your group of friends and pretend everyone else doesn't exist. We know how that feels. That's not cool. Look around. Include someone. Living in harmony means everyone belongs, not just the people you already like hanging out with. The Apostle Paul wrote this to the church in Rome, a huge busy city with people from all kinds of backgrounds. Some were rich, some had nothing. Some thought they were important and others felt invisible. But Paul basically told them, if you follow Jesus, how big or important you think you are doesn't really matter. What matters is how well you love others. It was true for them and it's true for you. Be the kind of person who doesn't leave anyone out. If Jesus was walking beside you at school, I think he'd say, see that kid sitting alone? I see them too. Go sit with them. You don't have to solve all their problems. You don't have to invite 'em to your birthday. You don't have to be their best friend forever. Just be there right now. Sometimes the best way to show Jesus's love to others is just an invitation. Jesus was always looking for people everyone else ignored. If you are following him, we should be looking for them too. Looking for the people that everyone else is ignoring. So how can you do this today? Notice who's alone. Look around at recess, at lunch, in your group projects. Pay attention to the kid hanging back or sitting by themselves. You can also just start small. A hey, what's up? Or a wanna sit here can make a big difference, bigger than you think. And be brave and be kind. Yeah, it might feel awkward at first. Your friends might ask questions like, why are they here? Why did you invite them? But remember, you're not doing it for them and you're not doing it alone. Jesus is with you and he's proud of you when you choose to love others over staying in your comfort zone of where you like to sit and who you like to hang out with. He's calling you to love others, especially the ones who feel invisible. You have the power to change someone's day. You might even change their whole year. It starts with one brave act of kindness. So today, be the kid who sees the kid who's alone. And remember, no matter where you are, no matter how you're listening, God loves you. And parents, if you love this podcast, share it with some parents you see this weekend, or the kids pastor at your church. And before you go answer this question together, what's one thing I can do today or this weekend to be a friend to someone who feels left out? I'll see you next week on Carpooling with Jesus.