Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.                                                                                                            Romans 12:2

We have a rule at our house.  Anyone who looks at their cell phone during dinner has to clean all of the dishes!  While it has been impressive to see the lengths to which family members will go to sneak a peek at their phone without getting caught, it is also an indication of how much more comfortable it feels for many of us to live in distraction.    

In our fast-paced society, distraction is often a way of life. Our schedules are full; we are stressed. Cell phones are glued to our hands. Our divided attentions compete with our closest relationships. More importantly these distractions keep us from being truly present in our   relationship with God.  Lent is a time to quiet our minds and release ourselves from distraction. It is a time to focus on our relationship with God and to be mindful of what God wants from us each day. 

When I think about the life of Jesus, I do not picture a man running at a frantic pace, worrying about what will happen next or how he will get the next miracle done. Jesus had one focus, to carry out the will of God.  Jesus must have been tempted by distraction and worries. Maybe he even would have been tempted to check his cell phone under the dinner table!  But Jesus was present for his followers and those in need.  Jesus lived in complete trust and peace in God’s guidance. He lived only to carry out the will of God.  

With so many uncertainties and challenges in our lives, it is easy to lose our complete faith and trust in God. Instead we spend time worried, stressed or seeking out ways to escape the chaos.    

Our daily commitment in Lent should be to renew our relationship with God. By making time for introspection and self examination, we can explore the intentions behind the decisions we are making. May we see beyond the many distractions in our lives and arrive at a greater  spiritual depth with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility. What is God asking me to do?  

May Lent be a time of renewal and assurance that God is indeed present and engaged in our lives. Knowing this, we can carry out, with confidence, God’s will through our attitudes and actions. We can be fully present in our relationships with others, helping those in need, and showing compassion in a broken world. 

Prayer: Show me your ways Lord; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5                                 

Kathy Beito