First Day Nerves at Camp: God Is Already There Waiting (Joshua 1:9)

Hey, Carpool Crew! Happy Monday. New week, new series. Today we're kicking off Faith at Camp, five days of episodes built for the moments your camp week throws at you. Have you ever stood in a brand-new cabin, dropped off ten minutes ago, holding a sleeping bag and watching the car drive away, and felt your stomach drop into your shoes? I'm Pastor Justin. We've all been there. And this whole new series is about the moments your camp week throws at you. Let's start at the start, the first day. Let's jump in with the one thing I want you to remember for the ride: wherever you go, God is already there waiting. Listen to this from Joshua chapter 1, verse 9. God Himself is speaking to a guy named Joshua: "Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua had just been handed a huge job. The leader before him, Moses, had died. And now Joshua was supposed to lead a whole nation of people into a brand-new place. Brand new. Never been there. Didn't know what was around the next corner. He was scared. Like, real scared. First-day-of-camp scared. And God says one specific thing to him. Be strong. Be courageous. Don't be afraid. Because I am with you wherever you go. That word "wherever" is the part most kids miss. Not just at home. Not just at church. Not just where things feel familiar. Wherever. Including the cabin you've never been in. The dining hall full of kids you don't know. The trail you've never walked. The lake you're about to swim in for the first time. If Jesus were sitting on the bunk next to you that first night at camp, He'd grin and say, "Hey. Look around. I beat you here. The kids you don't know yet, I already know them. The activities you're nervous about, I'm already there. You're not walking into anything alone." You walk into the cabin. The car drove away ten minutes ago. The bunks are full of kids unpacking. Somebody is already laughing at something. Somebody else has the top bunk you wanted. There are bags everywhere. Sunscreen smell. Suitcase wheels rolling on the floor. The counselor is yelling somebody's name across the cabin. Your stomach gets tight. You think about how long a week is. Hey, this week, here are a couple things you could try the first day at camp. First. The whisper-Joshua move. When you feel the nerves rise, whisper to yourself, "The Lord my God is with me wherever I go." One sentence. Hear yourself say it. Second. The look-for-the-other-nervous-kid move. Find one kid in the cabin who looks like they feel exactly how you feel. Walk over. Say your name. Ask theirs. You probably just made a friend. Third. The thank-God-He-beat-you-there move. Out loud or in your head, say, "God, thank You for getting here before me." Anybody can fake brave. Knowing God is already there is what real brave is built on. Hey, let's go back to that one thing I wanted you to remember for the ride. Wherever you go, God is already there waiting. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And parents, this week kicks off a brand-new Faith at Camp series on Carpooling with Jesus. For less than the cost of a snack run, Carpooling with Jesus+ gives your kids the full week plus Goodnight Psalms every night. Subscribe right from the app you're already listening on. Hey, before you go, let's answer this question together. Where is one place you've been nervous to walk into, and how did you remember God was already there? I'll see you tomorrow on Carpooling with Jesus.