Holy Week is one of those weeks that remind me of a dark time in my life and how God brought restoration and renewal. I had become distracted by activities, ministry, education, and service to the point that distraction wrecked my life. You might ask, “How can distraction be so powerful?” Distraction takes hope and turns it into depression. It takes love and turns it into selfishness. It takes peace and turns it into shame and guilt.

I allowed distractions to lead me away from everything I loved, including my children, career, and marriage. You have heard the warnings against distracted driving and how dangerous that can be. Distracted driving is nothing in comparison to distracted living. When our minds wander from God, we forget God’s gracious gifts of salvation and sanctification. This leads to confusion, anxiety, stress, discouragement, and loss. Thankfully, there is always an offramp to distraction and an onramp to God’s grace.    

2 Cor. 5:17-18, says “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (NRSV). 

When I refocused on God, renewed my commitment, and realized the hope, love, and peace that was freely available all along, my life began to change. God lit the way out of the darkness and held my hand as I moved from distraction to focus, from shame to grace, and from death to resurrection. That is why I love joining God in “the ministry of reconciliation!” I know what it’s like on the other side and I don’t want anyone to get stuck there. May we all help each other and those around us stay free from distraction and live into God’s resurrection power.