Scared of Being Alone? What Jesus Would Say

Hey, Carpool Crew. Maybe you're listening at the breakfast table while everyone's still waking up, or maybe you're riding in the backseat thinking about a time you felt left out. Wherever you're at, I'm Pastor Justin, and I'm so glad you're here. This month we're talking about things that can scare us sometimes. Today's fear, it's a big one. Being alone. Because let's be real. Being alone in a room, sitting by yourself at lunch, or just feeling like no one understands you, that can feel really hard, really heavy, and really sad. So what would Jesus say about this? I think he might look at Matthew chapter 28, verse 20. Here's what it says: 'And remember, I am with you always, till the end of the age.' Jesus said this right after he rose from the dead, right before going back to heaven. He had just given his followers a big job to do. Go tell the world about him. But he didn't send them off scared or alone. He gave them this powerful promise. 'I am with you always.' Not just sometimes. Not just on church days. Always. Not only when you're following the rules. Not only when you stay out of trouble. Always. And that promise, it wasn't just for the people standing there about to go tell the world about him. It's for you too, right now. So what would Jesus say if he heard you whisper, 'I feel like no one sees me. I feel so alone'? He might say, 'I see you. I love you. And I'm not going anywhere. And I wanna help others see you too.' See, he believes that you are never truly alone. Even if the room is empty or your heart feels quiet and alone, Jesus is right there with you. If you welcome him in. If you say, 'Jesus, I want you here. I don't wanna be alone.' Let's say you're on the playground and no one asks you to play, or you walk into church and you don't see anyone you know. You feel that little ache, like you're invisible. And, what do I do now? Where should I go? Where do I stand? Who do I talk to? But then you remember, Jesus sees you. Jesus is with you. And maybe just maybe you see someone else standing alone, and now you get to remind them they're not alone either. See, here's how you can live this out today. When you feel alone, whisper a prayer like this: 'Jesus, be near me.' Also, you can consider memorizing a verse. I love memorizing Bible verses so I can remind myself of God's truth. Matthew 28:20 is a great one to remember and say it when loneliness shows up. Lastly, look around. Is there someone else who might feel alone too? Be brave. Be kind. Be the friend they need. And then you won't be alone. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And you are never, ever, ever alone. Parents, if you like today's episode, consider posting it in a Facebook group. Let other parents know about Carpooling with Jesus. Before we go, let's answer this question together. When is a time you felt alone and how did God remind you that you weren't? I'll see you tomorrow on Carpooling with Jesus.