Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. (Ezra 4:4)
Expanded Passage: Ezra 3:1-6; 3:10—4:5
During my first semester of seminary, I worked at Chipotle Grill , preparing food in the morning. We would begin with chopping lettuce, onions, cilantro, and avocados. When in training, I wondered how each ingredient would fit together, yet right before we opened, the parts were mixed or mashed into the finished product. Individual preparation of each ingredient allowed us to efficiently create the final product, but I did not see that until the end of my shift.
The Israelites were prepared to face their opposition because of the individual ingredients they had acquired during and after the exile, which brought new experiences. They prepared individually, they united under a common purpose, and they learned and continued healthy practices. While worshiping, they experienced the joy and lament of new beginnings. In their daily lives they denied the bait as they discerned the hook, practicing patience to wait for God’s best for them. Their experiences and practices worked together to prepare them for the fear and discouragement placed on them, helping them endure despite its longevity.
Like the ingredients of Chipotle and the experiences of the Israelites, our experiences and practices work together to help us during times of opposition. Our experience during trials and transitions is built by our preparation beforehand. We must keep ourselves focused on God’s best for us, discarding the rest.
Look for the ways God has prepared you, especially during difficult transitions.
Jay Drury is a second-year MDiv student at Asbury Seminary (KY), pursuing ordination in The Wesleyan Church. He is married to Hannah, whom he met at age sixteen.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
