Hey, Carpool Crew. Welcome back to Carpooling with Jesus. I'm Pastor Justin, and maybe you're headed to school or just hanging out at home before homeschool starts. I'm really glad you're here. So you know that feeling in a crowded elevator when the doors close and somebody's backpack is right against your arm, and your chest starts feeling a little tight? Yeah. Let's jump in with the one thing I want you to remember for the ride. Breathe, count, and take one step. Listen to this from Acts chapter 12, verse 8. "Get dressed," the angel told him, "and put on your sandals." And he did. "Wrap your cloak around you," he told him, "and follow me." Here's what's going on. Peter is in prison. He's chained between two soldiers with guards at the door, and the church is praying for him. In the middle of the night, an angel shows up. A light shines in the cell, and the angel wakes Peter up. The chains fall off his wrists. And look at what the angel says, not the whole escape plan. He just says, "Get dressed. Now put on your sandals. Now wrap your cloak around you, then follow me." It's one small direction after another, and Peter did each one. He probably didn't even understand what was happening until he was outside of the prison out on the street. Here's how God got Peter out, not by explaining everything first, by giving him the next small thing to do. Okay, so here's what happens. In a small space, your brain skips straight to the biggest version of what could happen. What if it stops? What if it's an hour? What if I'm stuck in here? What if I have to sleep in here, and I end up living in here? Ugh, that would not be good. What if I can't get out? And you're thinking of all that with three floors to go. See, your body needs the sandals on version, one small thing at a time. Now, I'll be honest with you, the elevator might be slow. The middle seat on the airplane or on the bus might be lame for the whole ride. But God being with you doesn't make the space bigger, okay? That's the truth. It means that you don't have to figure out the whole thing right now. You just have to get ready for whatever the next step is. Okay, maybe it's an elevator, maybe it's the middle seat, maybe it's a crowded hallway, or a tent at camp, or the back row of a packed car. My kids know what that's like. Hey, this week, just try one thing. Do the sandals on version. Now, full disclosure, Pastor Justin loves sandals. I wear them every day I can, except when I'm going running or doing a wedding. But I love wearing sandals, so this connects with me. See, the sandals on version is one step at a time. Don't wait for the whole plan. Don't wait for the whole story. Just do the next step. Just try it. Just try it. Instead of asking mom or dad what the whole plan is, what is the next thing that I can do? And what's the thing after that? Take step after step after step. Now let's go back to the one thing I wanted you to remember for the ride. Breathe, count, and take one step. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And parents, if you want more encouragement like this during the week, come follow us on Instagram or TikTok. We post simple reminders and clips and things that you can share with your kids, but also share with your friends. It might be their way of discovering Carpooling with Jesus. Before you go, let's answer this question together. Think of something big that's coming up, then name the small steps you can take to get there before jumping to needing the whole plan. I hope you have a great conversation, and I'll see you tomorrow on Carpooling with Jesus.
