Yesterday, during prayer, I had a vision of a pestle and mortar. As a chef, I immediately thought of basil pesto and how it’s made. 

Knowing God, I believed this might be a clue to something significant happening in my life at the moment. 

Before we proceed, here’s a quick basil pesto recipe—perfect for a snack with ciabatta, charcuterie, and cheese.

 BASIL PESTO

Ingredients:

-200g soft basil leaves, washed and dried

-30g toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds

-30g dried grated Parmesan cheese

-2 teaspoons salt

-10g garlic, finely grated

-1 cup olive oil

Equipment:

-1 large and heavy pestle and mortar

Method:

1.Place the basil and nuts or seeds in the pestle and mortar and start crushing until they begin to break down.

2.Add the salt, garlic, and cheese, and continue crushing until the ingredients are broken into smaller pieces, but not into a paste.

3.Slowly pour in the olive oil and emulsify the mixture.

4.The pesto should be emulsified when finished, but not completely smooth.

5.Store it in the refrigerator with a layer of oil on top to prevent oxygen from entering.

My thoughts on this:

Pestles and mortars are used for blending ingredients or crushing spices. When herbs or spices are crushed, they release their oils and aromas. What’s on the inside comes out, so basil can never release rosemary flavours.

This can relate to a challenging time in your life when it feels like you’re being bruised. You have barriers to break through, but in the process of crushing them, your aroma emerges.

I think Mark Twain said, “Forgiveness is the aroma of the violet on the heel that trampled it.”

Who do I become when my life is bruising? 

What comes out of me when I am challenged?

Let’s look at how Job responds to losing basically everything and what James says about a spring of water.

Job 1:20–21

"Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.""

James 3:11

11 Can a spring produce both fresh and salt water from the same source?

We often focus on the negative and push God away. But Job’s worship is truly inspiring.

I never felt the need to worship when I was struggling. Then, think about James. Can a single spring produce both salt and fresh water? So, when things are good, we say the right things, but when circumstances change, so do we. Basil, on the other hand, remains the same and keeps smelling wonderful.

Why do we make basil pesto?

Basil is turned into pesto so we can enjoy its flavour all year round. 

But to keep it fresh, we need to cover it with oil and store it in the fridge. 

So, the circumstances around the basil pesto greatly influence how long it lasts.

Similarly, our circumstances are important in helping us avoid trouble again. 

How do we maintain our peace? Are we kind to others after tough times? 

Do we get along well with those around us, like the pine nuts, cheese, and oil? 

Are we and our friends better together than apart?

Yes, making basil pesto has made me reflect. Sometimes, we go through tough times with others, which disrupts our plans. But in a way, these experiences make us stronger than we would have been otherwise. They also build resilience, helping us to carry on even when things get tough.

Look at Isaiah 53:5

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. I am so grateful for this truth—Jesus was the ultimate crushing, and His aroma still lingers after 2000 years.

What is your aroma like today?

“Lord, help me to see life’s challenges like Job did. Lord, everything comes from You. I am simply here to care for it. Please help me to share my positive energy with others, even after things improve.”