When You Feel Left Out: God Never Leaves You

Hey, carpool crew, whether you're riding in the backseat quietly, thinking about recess or remembering how it felt when others didn't pick you for the team. I'm Pastor Justin, and I'm so glad you're here. Let's talk about something tough. Feeling left out, and it happens to everyone at some point. It's happened to me when friends don't invite you, when you're picked last, when you just don't feel like you fit in. And when that happens, it can feel like you're all alone. But here's the truth. God never leaves you out. He never forgets you. He never turns his back on you. Let's take a look at a verse from Deuteronomy chapter 31, verse six. He will not leave you or abandon you. This verse was first spoken to the Israelites when they were about to head into something new and a little scary. They were entering the promised land and Moses told them, you might feel unsure, but God's not going anywhere, and that promise is still true for us today. The book of Deuteronomy is full of wisdom Moses gave before he died. He wanted God's people to remember this one thing as they stepped into unfamiliar places. God goes with you always. Moses wasn't going to be with them anymore, but God would be. And that same God walks into your school, into your lunchroom, into your classroom, into your neighborhood. He will never leave you out even when others do. If Jesus were riding in the car with you right now after maybe a rough day, or maybe you had a rough day yesterday and you're about to go back to school, I think he would look you in the eye and say, I see how you feel, and I'm sorry you're not invisible to me. Even if you feel left out, I'm right here. I choose you. I'm with you. Jesus knew what it felt like to be rejected and alone. He gets it, and he never walks away from people, especially not you. So what can you do when you feel left out? Here are a few ways you can lean into God's love and find strength in those times. First, talk to him. I always say talk to God. It's like you're having a conversation with God that never ends, and maybe this moment you're saying, God, I feel left out. He's never too busy to hear what's on your heart. Remember what's true. Write down Deuteronomy 31. Maybe keep it in your backpack. He will not leave me. Look around for others who may feel the same way, sometimes the best way to feel included is to include someone else. This is a great conversation to have with mom or dad or even a teacher. You don't have to carry that sadness, that difficulty by yourself. Feeling left out stings, but it doesn't define who you are. God says you belong always. You are not forgotten. You are never alone, never too small to matter. He sees you. God stays with you, and God is writing a beautiful story in your life, even on the hard days. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. Before you go answer this question together, who is someone you can include this week so they don't feel left out? I'll see you tomorrow on carpooling with Jesus.