February 12, 2025 Lessons from the Pinewood Derby
Wednesday, Feb 12, 2025
Lessons from the Pinewood Derby
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NRSVUE)
This past weekend was Scout Sunday in the United Methodist Church and our son’s first-ever Cub Scout Pinewood Derby—what a thrill! For those unfamiliar, the Pinewood Derby is a decades-old tradition where scouts craft a small car from a block of wood (ours had to be under 5 ounces) and race it down an inclined track.
Hudson put a lot of effort into his car, “Snark”—a name he proudly created by combining “snake” and “shark” (and no, I didn’t make any snarky remarks about it). He made sure it looked fantastic with neon orange wheels, a plastic engine block, and a sleek black-and-purple paint job. It was also, without a doubt, the most expensive car on the track—not because of the accessories, but because my attempt at precision weight placement with a power drill ended with me accidentally drilling straight through the car…and into my left hand. Thank goodness for Urgent Care!
When race day came, the older scouts placed Snark on the track. But as soon as the first race began, it was clear his car wasn’t as fast as the others. In each heat, Snark finished about one second behind the rest. It was tough watching his car cross the finish line in last nearly every time, especially knowing how much effort he had put into it.
It’s easy to get discouraged when things don’t go our way. Whether in a Pinewood Derby, at work, in school, or in our faith, we sometimes feel like we’re running behind. That’s why Hebrews 12:1-2 is such a powerful passage. It reminds us that life is a race—not one about speed, but about perseverance. Success in God’s eyes isn’t about crossing the finish line first, but about staying in the race, growing in faith, and keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
On the drive home, Hudson wasn’t dwelling on where he placed. Instead, he talked about how much fun it was making Snark and cheering on his Scout friends. He was already thinking about next year’s car, what he might do differently, and how exciting it would be to try again.
And so, we run with perseverance.
Reflect: When have you felt like you were “running behind” in life? How did you respond, and what might it look like to shift your focus from winning to perseverance
Hebrews 12:2 calls us to “fix our eyes on Jesus.” What distractions or setbacks tend to pull your focus away from Him, and how can you realign your heart to trust in His guidance?
Pray: Gracious God, thank You for reminding us that life is not about being the fastest or the best, but about running with perseverance and keeping our eyes on You. When we face setbacks or disappointments, help us to trust that You are guiding our steps and shaping us through the journey. Give us the strength to keep going, to encourage others along the way, and to always fix our hearts on You. Amen.
With faith, hope, and love,
Eric Smith