Scripture: Lamentations 3:55–57 (NRSV)
Key Verse: “You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’”
Reflection
The writer of Lamentations calls out from the “pit,” a place filled with exhaustion, grief, and uncertainty. In that depth of despair—far from anything that resembles resolution—something holy happens: You came near. Hope in Scripture is not based on outcomes; it is rooted in God’s nearness. Even when nothing changes on the outside, something shifts inside us when we sense God’s presence drawing close.
The “waiting room” seasons of life are often the hardest to endure. These moments lack clear answers, a set timeline, or certainty about what comes next. We desire movement; instead, we experience stillness. Yet, Advent reminds us that God is deeply present in these in-between spaces. Divine love doesn’t force solutions; it sits with us, breath by breath, gradually steadying the ground beneath our feet. God’s nearness becomes the grace that sustains us.
Waiting is rarely comfortable, but it can be deeply transformative. Advent reminds us that hope starts in the waiting, not after it. God’s holy work often takes place beneath the surface—building resilience, clarifying desires, and teaching us to trust again. Waiting isn’t wasted time when God is near.
Application (Action)
Send a short message of encouragement to someone who might be in their own “waiting room.”
Writing Prompt
When have you felt God’s presence drawing near during a season of waiting?
Prayer
Listening God, meet me in my waiting. Let your presence soothe my fears and steady my heart. Teach me to trust that hope grows slowly, even here. Amen.