Hey, Carpool Crew. Happy Tuesday. I'm so glad you're joining us today. I'm Pastor Justin. Now let me ask, have you ever had a brand-new backpack sitting by the door, totally empty, waiting for the year to start, and you look at it and felt this little mix of excitement and nervousness all at once? There's something about a brand-new empty backpack, isn't there? It's not full of stuff yet. It's not full of anything yet. It's just sitting there full of a whole year that hasn't happened, and full of dreams and ideas and thoughts of what this year is gonna look like. That empty backpack is actually one of the best things you can pray over. So today, let's talk about it. Let's jump in with the one thing I want you to remember. Hand God your empty backpack and ask Him to lead the new year. Listen to this from Psalm 32:8. It says, "I will instruct you and show you the way to go. With my eye on you, I will give counsel." See, that's God talking, and He's saying, "I'll show you the way. I'll guide you, and I've got my eye on you the whole time." Before a single day of the year happens, God is already promising to lead you through it. Think about that. You don't have to figure out the whole year by yourself. You don't even have to know what is happening this year yet, because God does, and He has already promised to walk you through it every single day. So that empty backpack isn't just empty. It is a perfect picture of the year that you can hand straight to God before it even starts. You can ask Him to fill it up with His help, His leading, His kindness, His closeness, His help when you need it. And guess what? We all know that we're gonna need God's help throughout the school year. Of course we will. If Jesus were here, I think He'd say, "I already know every day that's going on this school year. I want you to hand it over to me. I want you to trust me to lead you this year. I'll show you the way. You just keep your eye on me." See, there's a few days before the school year starts, and your new backpack is there, and it's ready. You feel that excitement, that nervousness swirling, and instead of just stuffing it in with supplies, you do something first. You take your hands, you even grab your parents and ask them to do it with you, and you pray over your backpack. "God, I don't know what this year holds, but you do. Lead me through it. Help me. Stay close." And just like that, the year isn't yours to carry alone anymore. You have included God in the process of your school year to be with you every step of the way. So this week, here are a couple things you can try. First, pray over your backpack as a family. Talk about the school year, what you're excited about or nervous about, and pray that God is with you every step of the way. And second, when something about the new school year feels scary, just whisper this one sentence, "God, show me the way, and stay close." I hope you guys get ready because I believe this school year is gonna be a good one. Let's go back to the one thing I wanted you to remember for the ride. Hand God your empty backpack and ask him to lead the new year. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. Carpooling with Jesus stickers for your water bottle or your notebook? I'd love to mail you some. Grab your parent and go to carpoolingwithjesus.com. Click on Carpool Crew, and there's a link to request stickers right there. We'd love to send some out to you. Now before you go, let's answer this question together. If you could pray one thing over your year before it starts, what would you ask God for? I hope you have a great day, Carpool Crew. I'll see you later.
