I planned on a quick trip through the drive-thru. It was that moment when the day was winding down and I focused on feeding my family. I placed my order and proceeded to the payment window. “Ma’am you will have to wait 7 to 10 minutes for your order.” This was not what I wanted to hear. “Ma’am you are our one hundredth customer today and your order is free” would have been nice.

Sensing my disappointment, the drive-thru cashier said, “Or we can give you three extra pieces of chicken if you don’t want to wait. That’s as good as it gets.” Now this was more like it. I paid her for my order and thanked her for being so accommodating.

Life is good. It’s a simple statement with a warm vibe. I was feeling that vibe as I drove home because I associate “good” with something wonderful happening. In this case, my bonus pieces of chicken fit the bill.

What is your measuring stick for determining what is good? Waiting or sacrifice may not jump to the front of my mind. However, the surprising thing about life is that always having things go our way is not as good as it gets.

In a few days we will observe what Christians refer to as Good Friday — the day Christ died on the cross for our sins. The name implies the impact of His redemption on sin and human suffering.

Through Christ, we can see the importance of determining the good in a situation by more than what goes our way. Initially, His disciples may have wondered if the time before His crucifixion was as good as it gets. But His death demonstrates how God can take the worst situation and weave it into the fabric of His will. The strengthening of our faith is often essential to that fabric.

Therefore, good times are only good if the experience makes us better. The best part of our day is seen as we overflow with the fruit of the Spirit. (see Galatians 5:16-22) And good outcomes may not come immediately but if we keep fighting in faith, a change will come.

When circumstances began to challenge us here’s some good news: we may encounter a situation that does not look good, but if we look at the Cross we can see the Good Shepherd giving His life for His sheep. Where we choose to gaze is important because Good Friday is followed by Easter Sunday — the day Christians celebrate Christ’s Resurrection. It is a declaration that “life is good” because our Redeemer lives. And that’s as good as it gets for bringing hope to the heart and joy to the soul.

“How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours!” Psalm 116:5 NLT