Tired of Driving in Circles
Scripture
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
— Hebrews 12:1–2 (NIV)
Devotion
Using Richard Petty as an illustration, Pastor said Petty drove enough race laps on Sundays to go to the moon and back—over and over—yet he never actually left the track.
Pastor Darren compared that to many believers: we look like runners—we buy the “gear,” know the language, even sit in the right places—but spiritually, we’re just driving in circles every Sunday:
He asked, “Did you show up today to finish the race, or just to drive around in another couple circles and leave unchanged?”
Hebrews 12 calls us not to a race in circles, but to a race “marked out for us,” with a clear goal: Jesus Himself. To run that race, we must:
This walk with God isn’t a short sprint or a showy lap; it’s a lifelong marathon. And it’s meant to be going somewhere: toward deeper Christlikeness, greater obedience, more love, more fruit.
Reflection
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
— Hebrews 12:1–2 (NIV)
Devotion
Using Richard Petty as an illustration, Pastor said Petty drove enough race laps on Sundays to go to the moon and back—over and over—yet he never actually left the track.
Pastor Darren compared that to many believers: we look like runners—we buy the “gear,” know the language, even sit in the right places—but spiritually, we’re just driving in circles every Sunday:
- Emotionally stirred during worship (the “eagle flies”),
- Then settling into lap 21—back to routine, unchanged.
He asked, “Did you show up today to finish the race, or just to drive around in another couple circles and leave unchanged?”
Hebrews 12 calls us not to a race in circles, but to a race “marked out for us,” with a clear goal: Jesus Himself. To run that race, we must:
- Throw off what hinders (weights, distractions, petty offenses).
- Throw off the sin that entangles.
- Run with perseverance, not just enthusiasm.
This walk with God isn’t a short sprint or a showy lap; it’s a lifelong marathon. And it’s meant to be going somewhere: toward deeper Christlikeness, greater obedience, more love, more fruit.
Reflection
- Where in your spiritual life do you feel like you’re just “driving in circles”—busy, emotional, but not actually changing or moving forward?
- What specific hindrances or sins is God highlighting that you need to “throw off” so you can truly run your race?