Scared Nobody Wants to Be Your Partner? What Jesus Would Say

Now, you know that second right after the teacher says, "Find a partner," and everyone turns around except you? Yeah, we've been there. Now, let's jump in with the one thing I want you to remember for the ride: God loved you first. Listen to this from 1 John 4:19: We love because he first loved us. Now, fun fact, 1 John 4 was the very first passage of scripture that I read out loud in church when I was around nine years old. So 1 John 4 really has a place in my heart. Now, here's what's happening. John is writing to Christians about love, and he says something simple about where love starts. It starts with God. We didn't love God first and then he loved us back. He loved us first. He sent Jesus for us before we even did one thing for him. That's the order. God went first. Now go back to that second in the classroom. Why don't you turn around? Because turning around means finding out what if nobody wants to be your partner? So you sit there facing forward, waiting for someone else to go first. But here's the truth: somebody already went first for you. God did. He didn't wait to see if you'd pick Him. He picked you. And when you know that, you don't have to wait for somebody to pick you before you can turn around and pick somebody else. Here's the honest part. When you turn around and ask, they might already have a partner. That happens. You still went first, and that was the right move. Maybe it's find a partner, maybe it's picking teams at recess, maybe it's the new kid at church or at the homeschool co-op, or the cousin you don't really know very well at Thanksgiving playing with your toys. Well, here, try this if it comes up this week. The next time you're waiting for somebody to pick you, turn around and pick somebody else. It's really easy. "Hey, wanna be my partner?" Just say it before you look around to see who's left, and if you need a reason, you've got one, 'cause God went first, so you don't have to. Hey, let's go back to the one thing I want you to remember for the ride. God loved you first. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And parents, if your kids are loving the podcast, share it with a parent friend. Let them know about Carpooling with Jesus, and maybe it becomes part of their family routine. Now before you go, let's answer this question together. Who in your class is probably facing forward right now, hoping somebody turns around? I'll see you tomorrow for a brand-new week of Carpooling with Jesus.