The Pinewood Derby and the Storm: A Lesson in Focus

There’s a peculiar power in the simple things, isn’t there? The earnest pride of a child, the tangible weight of a trophy, the quiet strength gleaned from facing a storm. The recent Sunday takeaway video, seemingly about a Pinewood Derby race, resonated with a deeper truth about navigating the challenges that inevitably buffet our lives as Latter-day Saints. It’s a truth reiterated through the prophets, echoed in scripture, and felt deeply in the covenants we make.

The exuberance of that young racer, declaring victory over all, is a reflection of the faith we are commanded to possess. It's a faith that isn't predicated on flawless preparation or guaranteed outcomes, but on a resolute commitment to the course laid out before us. The father’s lament about hurried preparations – a Sunday morning scramble – speaks to the consequences of neglecting foundational principles. Too often, we find ourselves reacting instead of acting, driven by the urgency of the moment rather than the guiding principles of the Restoration.

But the core message, the one that pierced through the youthful boasting and parental reflections, was this: “No matter what the storm is, if you keep your eye on Jesus, you’ll get through it.” It's a paraphrase of the Savior’s promise in the wilderness, a promise reaffirmed throughout the scriptures. Consider the trials of the Nephites, driven into the wilderness by persecution (Mosiah 24:11). Their survival wasn’t due to superior weaponry or cunning strategy, but to their unwavering reliance on the Lord and the covenants they held dear. Similarly, Isaiah’s prophecies, often shrouded in foreboding, ultimately point to a future of hope and redemption, a testament to God’s enduring faithfulness (Isaiah 40:31).

The family in the video shared their own experience with a “storm” – a trial they hadn’t yet fully shared with others. It’s a testament to the universality of suffering, even among the faithful. The prompt to “keep your focus” isn't a platitude, but a vital directive. It’s a call to actively cultivate a relationship with the Lord, to draw strength from the priesthood, and to find solace in the knowledge of His love and guidance. It reminds us that the storms of life, however fierce, are opportunities for growth and refinement, for demonstrating our trust in His plan.

The contrast between the child's unbridled joy and the parents’ quiet wisdom highlights the different stages of discipleship. The child's faith is pure and uncomplicated; the parents’ faith is tempered by experience and deepened by covenant. Both, however, understand the fundamental principle: fix your gaze on Christ.

Let us strive to emulate the unwavering focus of that young racer, even when the race feels unfair, the track uneven, and the outcome uncertain. Let us remember that the trophies of this life are fleeting, but the rewards of eternal faithfulness are boundless. And let us be mindful of the lessons learned in seemingly insignificant moments, for it is often in the quiet corners of our lives that the Lord reveals His most profound truths.

What storm are you currently facing? What covenants have you made that sustain you?