Hey, everyone. Welcome to Carpooling with Jesus. Picture this. Jesus is sitting right next to you on your car ride to school. What stories would you share from the Bible? How would he help you start your day? Let's explore those questions as we dig into the Bible and learn something new. I'm Pastor Justin. And today we're going to talk about something super important. How you can be the light of the world. Let me start with a story. Imagine it's a dark night and you're walking through a forest. It's so dark, you can't even see your hand in front of your face. Then suddenly someone switches on a flashlight. Wow. What a difference it makes. You can see the path clearly and everything feels brighter and safer. Pretty awesome, right? I'm a dad and even I get nervous in a dark forest, so I'm always grateful to have a flashlight. Now here's the cool part. Jesus says that we are like that. We are like the flashlight in the dark. In Matthew chapter five, verse 14, Jesus tells us, you are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. Think about that. A city on a hill at night shines so brightly that no one can miss it. And that's what Jesus wants us to be like, bright lights that everyone can see. What does it mean to shine your light? Well, just like a flashlight helps us see in the dark or a nightlight makes us feel safe, Jesus is saying that our actions and words can brighten the world for others. When we are kind, helpful, and loving, we bring happiness, comfort, and safety to those around us. Here are a few simple ways you can shine your light at school, at home, or anywhere you are. You can be kind. Share your toys, include others in games, help someone with their homework. Your kindness is like the warm, glowing light that makes everyone around you feel special. You can smile. A big bright smile can cheer up anyone. Toss in a high five and you have just made their day even brighter. You can help out. If you see a classmate or a teacher struggling, whether it's carrying books or cleaning up, lend a hand. That simple act of help is like a flashlight guiding someone to God's love. And you can be honest. Telling the truth and being trustworthy shows people they can rely on you. And that builds trust and safety that will light up your life and theirs. Imagine you're at school and you see a new kid sitting alone at lunch. It might feel a little scary to go up to them, but remember, you're the light. By saying, hey, come sit with us, you're showing kindness and helping them feel included. Or maybe during a game at recess, someone loses and feels upset. Instead of teasing them, you can say, hey, you did great, let's play again. Your encouragement can turn their day around and point them toward God's love. Being the light doesn't mean doing huge, extraordinary things. It's the little things like saying thank you, holding open the door, or complimenting someone that shine the brightest. And here's the most amazing part. When we all shine our lights together, our families look different. Our school can look different. Our community can look different, a more happier, joyful place. Think about how you can shine your light today and the rest of the month. Maybe you can be extra kind to your siblings, help out at home without asking, smile at everyone you see. Remember, being the light of the world isn't just about what you do. It's about how you make others feel. When you shine your light, you're showing people how much God loves them. No matter where you are or how you're listening, remember this, God loves you. Thanks for joining me on today's episode of Carpooling with Jesus, where we turn everyday car rides into faith-filled moments. And parents, if you love this podcast, share it with your parent friends so they can have faith-filled moments too. See you tomorrow for another episode. Let's keep shining our light for Jesus. Here's today's question. Try and answer it before you leave the car. What's one way I can shine my light today?
