You Can't Do Life Without Jesus

Hey, carpool crew, whether you're getting buckled into the backseat with a backpack and a lunchbox, helping a younger sibling zip up their hoodie or heading out the door with a sleepy smile. I'm Pastor Justin, and I'm so glad you're here. Now, let me ask you, have you ever tried to do something that just didn't work? Like running a race with no shoes, or trying to play a video game with a controller that had no batteries, or maybe jumping into a pool to swim but there's no water. Yeah, that just doesn't work. And that's what today's verse is all about. Jesus said in John 15 verse five, because you can do nothing without me. Whoa, nothing. Yep. Jesus was making something super clear. You were not made to do life alone, by yourself, or in isolation. You were made to do life with God. Jesus said these words to his disciples while they were walking through what, a vineyard, a place full of grapevines. He told them that he was the vine and that they were the branches. You're right, we've been learning about this all week. It's super important, and here's what they all knew. A branch not connected to the vine doesn't grow grapes, it doesn't grow anything. It dries out and withers away. Jesus was saying, if you try to go through life without me, it won't work. You might look okay for a while, but inside you'll be running on empty. If Jesus were sitting right next to you in the car right now or at the breakfast table before homeschool starts, I think he'd say something like, you don't have to figure everything out on your own. I want to help you, guide you. I wanna be there to hear your prayers and listen to the things that you're struggling with. I also wanna be there to celebrate with you and help you as you are growing bigger, stronger, and more like me. Don't carry everything yourself. I'm with you every step, every moment. The math test, the argument with your friends, that feeling like you're not good enough. You don't have to face it without me. So how do we live with Jesus instead of trying to do life without him? Well, first of all, start your day knowing that the people around you love you. The people around you, your parents, your grandparents, they want you to be successful. So before you start your day, think about how you're acting, how you're treating people, how you're talking, the words you're using with teachers and substitute teachers. It doesn't matter whoever you're talking to was made in the image of God. So how you talk to them matters. Second, don't rush past him. Take a breath and remember that God is with you. He's listening when you are willing to talk. He is there to listen. Lastly, I'd say, remember this, being disconnected feels so out of rhythm. Sometimes it feels out of routine. Maybe you are living a life out of routine right now. Maybe mom is away on a trip and dad's at home sick, and you're with grandma and Papa going to school every day and you didn't plan that. Guess what? God is with you. He's watching over you at school. He loves you and he wants you to have the best day possible. He's not asking you to be perfect. He's not asking you to figure it all out on your own. He just wants you to stay close, to be listening to him and be willing to come to him before you make a rash decision that isn't who you know God wants you to be and really isn't who you wanna be either. Without Jesus, nothing really works. But with him you can face anything. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. Parents, if you love today's podcast, let some parents know at church about it this weekend, would love to have them discover carpooling with Jesus too. Before you go answer this question together, what would happen when we try to do things our way without asking God? I'll see you tomorrow on carpooling with Jesus.