Ice Cream Buddies

Ice Cream Buddies – A new devotional looks at how Jesus calls his followers not just love your neighbor but also to show love to your enemies. 

It’s harder to hate someone when they like the same ice cream as you!

THOUGHT: 

“I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!  A childish expression reminds us that as we enter the month of July, we realize that summer is in full bloom. What is better in the heat of summer than the cold, sweet, and refreshing taste of an ice cream cone with a friend?  The sweetness seems to magnify the glory of the day.  Even more so, picking and loving the same flavor, is an example of comraderie perfection. There is something about finding something in common with another person that fosters positive relationships. 

Unfortunately, all of us have experienced a relationship with someone we don’t necessarily like.   Whatever the reason for the rift in a relationship or even the absence of a relationship; it is not what Jesus wants for us. 

Throughout life, we meet people that we instantly feel a bond with or have a sudden and impactful friendship.  Yet, there are also those that we don’t ever experience any kind of connection with and it is difficult to agree on anything.

Now, that would be easy enough to rectify if we were only concerned about which ice cream flavor to pick.  Yet, most of life’s circumstances tend to be a little more weighty.  In the Bible, we often see Jesus meeting with or dining with those persons that may not be his “favorite” or that others would never associate with on their worst days.  Lepers, tax collectors, Pharisees, etc.  We wonder why Jesus would even attempt to have a relationship with such a person(s).  Additionally, not only does He dine with them or talk with them, but He “loves” them.  The audacity!  The blasphemy!  In fact, He even suggests that “WE” pray for our enemies as well.  He points out that it is simple to love someone who is “loveable” but a more daunting conquest to love someone who doesn’t portray any loving characteristics.  You mean….love my enemies?  Really?  Pray for my enemies?  Hmmm….yet in the Book of Acts, we are faced with the following advice:

^“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. —Acts 5:43-48—

My first thought is, forget it. I cannot bring myself to pray for my enemies. They do not deserve it, I boldly proclaim. Yet, as Christians, we are encouraged to step out in faith to do things beyond what we think we can do. Peter walked on water, right? Well, with a little work from above; but when He kept his focus on Jesus, it was possible.

Just maybe, it is important to take that leap of faith and follow through with the scripture above. The sanctification process not only includes being a friend to others, but especially a friend to whom is disliked by the majority.

It is possible that my enemies and I may never see “eye to eye” or agree on anything, even a simple thing like a flavor of ice cream. Yet we can pray for each other in order to “appreciate” each other and comprehend the differences that make us special. Just because one flavor is chocolate chip mint and the other is mocha, does not mean they cannot come to an agreement about the delightfulness of sprinkles and whipped cream on top.

PRAYER:

Brother Jesus, help me to be humble, step out in faith, and pray for my enemies. Help me to see something that I can relate to with someone not yet my friend. Let me see myself as someone who needs prayer for me FROM my enemies. AMEN.

ENJOYED ICE CREAM BUDDIES?

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