Hey, Carpool Crew. Happy Thursday. I'm Pastor Justin. Let me ask everybody this question. Have you ever had somebody try to tell you something important, but you were only half listening because your brain was already on something else, and later you realized you missed the whole thing? A new school year is almost here, and everybody's thinking about being smart, getting good at stuff, doing well. But there's one skill that makes you better at almost everything, and hardly anybody talks about it. It's listening, real listening. So today, let's talk about it. I want to jump in with the one thing I want you to remember for the ride. Being quick to listen is a superpower God wants to grow in you. Hear this from James 1:19. And remember, James was the half-brother of Jesus. Imagine growing up and your half-brother was Jesus. Oh, boy. Here's what it says, "My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger." Look at that order God put those in. Quick to listen comes first, before talking, before getting upset, before thinking about something else or wishing you were somewhere else or looking at a device or a screen. The first thing is listen. Think about that. God could have made the big rule be quick to talk or quick to share your opinion or quick to look at something else that's more interesting or quick to be right. Instead, he said, "Quick to listen." That tells you something about how much he values it, and here's why listening is really a superpower. When you actually listen, people feel loved. Your friends trust you more. You learn things the fast talkers miss. You even hear God better because hearing him starts with being the kind of kid who gets quiet, pays attention, and listens for God to speak. See, if Jesus were sitting with you and hanging out, I think he'd say, "Watch what happens this year when you really listen. Slow down. Hear people all the way to the end. That is how you love them, and that's how you'll hear me, too." So it's the last stretch of summer. Your little brother or sister is running in to tell you something while you're deep into a game. Normally, you'd say, "Uh-huh, uh-huh," and keep playing as they're talking. But this time, you set the controller down or put the game pieces down or the Lego pieces. You look at them with both eyes, and you let them finish the whole story, and then you watch their face light up because they can tell that you actually heard them, that you were actually listening. That is the superpower. It's a superpower that has a big impact on other people, and it's one you can carry into the whole new year. So hey, this week, here's a couple things you could try. First, next time someone's talking to you, set down whatever is in your hands and listen all the way to the end. Second, every morning, just repeat this: "God, help me be quick to listen today." Hey, let's go back to the one thing I wanted you to remember for the ride. Being quick to listen is a superpower God wants to grow in you. Remember, Carpool Crew, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And parents, here's the easiest link to remember, carpoolingwithjesus.com. If you're looking for an old episode or some coloring pages or where to submit a question that your kid has for Questions from the Backseat, you can do it on carpoolingwithjesus.com. I'd love for you to check it out. We put some time into it to make it really easy for parents, for kids, and for your friends. Hey, before you go, let's answer this question together. What's something you can do to listen better the next time someone starts talking to you? I hope you have a great day. I'll see you later, Carpool Crew. Have a good one.
