"The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD" (Lamentations 3:25-26 CSB).

Waiting is hard. We've come to expect immediate gratification. Free same-day shipping should apply to all areas of life, right? Surely God could accelerate his plans for our convenience.

Jeremiah writes these words, notably, in the very middle of Lamentations. The prophet pours out his long lament to the Father, and must stop halfway to remind himself (and us) that our faithful God is good. And waiting for him must be good too.

Not easy, but good.

Lent is good for us, then, because it makes us wait. We don’t jump straight to the celebration of Easter, but first wait quietly. Reflecting, hoping, seeking.

We know what’s coming on Sunday, but it’s good for us to first walk with Jesus through his Passion. Fasting before feasting. Darkness before light.

It’s good for us to gather together in these sacred moments of Holy Week, to say no to other things to make room for waiting quietly. We are those whose hope is in him. We are those who seek him. We are those expectantly waiting, and he is good to us.