By: Debbie Christopher
Did you know there is a sweet connection between a bowl of ice cream and the New Testament letter written by the Apostle Peter?
Our church ladies’ group began digging into a 1 Peter Bible Study in the Fall of 2023, and it ‘just so happened’ that during part of that study I was out of town full-filling Grandma Duty… joyfully full-filling Grandma Duty!
It also ‘just so happened’ that the day I completed the homework over 1 Peter 1:3-6 was also ice cream night for my daughter’s family…and the story begins.
Our grandson was not into in eating his beans for dinner that evening, and his older, then 10 Y/O sister tried to encourage him by saying, “Think of the ice cream that awaits and just eat your beans!”
Go back and read her comment again!
This comment couldn’t have come at a better time because, as mentioned above, it perfectly matched the homework study I had completed earlier that day, and the message stood out loud and clear!
I immediately praised my granddaughter for explaining a Bible principle better than any commentary. Obviously, she replied, “Huh?”…and you probably asked the same question.
Under the supervision and guidance of God Himself, Peter wrote this letter to a group of new believers that had been exiled to the area now known as Turkey and were facing regular persecution and hardship. Peter’s purpose was to remind them (and us!) of the blessed hope we have in Christ (as seen in our passage) and to consider our future rewards… that are imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading!
“Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials”
1 Peter 1:3-6 HCSB
Basically, he reminded them to “endure your beans because the ice cream awaits!”
Peter repeated this admonition several times throughout his letter as an encouragement to stand firm (see 1 Peter 5:10-12).
What a joy to keep these promises in mind as we endure unpleasant circumstances.
Now, some eight months later, I continue to dwell on this thought. Numerous times throughout the remainder of the 1 Peter study, I jotted, “Think of the ice cream that awaits” in the margins of the Bible Study book. I mentioned it several times during the Table Talk discussion (ask my table ladies!). I’ve even jotted it down in the margins of our current Bible study. It has become part of my heart to remind myself and others that when things get bumpy…the ‘ice cream’ awaits.
Romans 8:18 covers it perfectly as well—-and it’s short enough to memorize!
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.”
Romans 8:18 HCSB
Stand firm and think of your favorite flavor!
~Debbie
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