Imagine this: 400 eager students relishing the final morsels of a feast recently delivered hot and fresh from a state-of-the-art kitchen, equipped to satisfy the hunger of an army. Exuberant volunteers parade around with platter after platter of decadent, gourmet offerings. Every imaginable delight—pizza, wings, pasta, sandwiches, and an array of sides—beckons with tantalizing allure. Laughter and joy radiate from every face, as a lively dance of servers weaves through the leaders and wandering students, creating a breathtaking spectacle that is both chaotic and beautifully orchestrated.
Once the last bite is taken. A small quiet fills the room. An announcement booms over the speakers.
“Are you ready?! Let’s bring out the dessert!”
The rumble ignites with a gentle tremor, a few pounds colliding on the table, swiftly escalating into a symphony of clanging silverware, water glasses chattering, and beads of water gracefully dancing to the infectious rhythm of fervent fists and soaring vocals. Servers, like culinary warriors, grasp hot pans with oven mitts as they ceremoniously reveal heavy trays adorned with an ice-cold topping, elevating the visual ecstasy to breathtaking new heights. A magnificent slab of ice cream triumphantly rests atop a decadent cookie/cake/whatever it is, rendering your mom’s beloved homemade cookies pale in comparison to this mouthwatering spectacle.
Abundance feels great, right? It makes us feel loved and cared for. When everyone, no matter their age, can have as much as they want, it brings a sense of peace and comfort.
It’s not wrong to feel good, to have leftovers, to enjoy a full stomach.
Abundance is what we were always meant to feel. We are not made for scarcity. Even though our bodies survive well when in desperation, it shouldn’t have to…it’s stressful.
Ice cream at a summer camp designed to teach students about Jesus may seem like a small detail, but it powerfully encapsulates the essence of God’s Kingdom, a place of infinite abundance and perfect provision. Ice cream served by the slab embodies a celebration of life, requiring ample freezers, dedicated staff to lovingly cut and serve it onto 40-50 plates of delectable cookies, and the finest ingredients to craft this delightful treat. It creates a sanctuary where joy flourishes! Indeed, one could passionately assert that where there is ice cream, there is safety, there is love, and there is vibrant community, uniting us all in the sweetest of moments.
In a world of so much abundance, there is still so much scarcity. Where is the Love? We all crave what we were always meant to have, abundance beyond what we could fathom.
Do we let ourselves feel loved when we are taken care of, when we have all we need? Looking around and seeing all the ice cream lets me know I’m thought about, considered, taken care of, nourished, and there’s nothing wrong with a sweet, good time.
Pause here and ask yourself: What do I feel like when I am cared for? What does it feel like to be considered, thought about, appreciated, worthy even?
We may not always experience Jesus’s love in the ways we deeply desire, often because we’ve been conditioned to expect something different. But what if those fleeting moments of joy—like indulging in ice cream, receiving a thoughtful gift, a heartfelt compliment, or that unexpected message—are reminders of the boundless love we were destined to embrace? Am I truly allowing myself to bask in that goodness, or do I fall into the trap of overanalyzing each moment to “protect” my feelings? Building a barrier against life’s beautiful experiences only serves to rob us of true joy, a struggle many face in our quest for authentic happiness.
What if not allowing yourself to feel good was the most significant problem in your life right now?
Here’s what happens when we fail to let good things be done on our behalf: We reinforce self-centeredness and intellectual thinking that blinds us to a whole side of life we were always meant to experience.
Ice cream will never fix pain, loss, death, resentment, hate, but it can provide just a little release, just a little love, maybe just enough to get by another day to grow and learn from that day’s lesson. Who knows where life will take you, but hopefully there’s a bit of sweetness in it all. Being loved and nourished is how we were always meant to live.
The real question we must grapple with is this: do we allow God to “give us our daily bread?” Or do we falter in our trust, doubting that we are cherished enough to be provided for? While we may not always receive what we desire, rest assured that we will undoubtedly be given all that we truly need.
Next time you go out with friends, and you have that one who wants to provide for you, care for you, and nurture you, really let it sink in. Allow yourself to feel the love and care when someone gets to serve you. These reminders may help us grow in our faith and really experience the love of Christ we were always meant to have in a tangible form.
If people want to celebrate your birthday or surprise you with something they know you like, or just compliment your outfit. Sit in it, bathe in it, take it for all it’s worth- you are seen, considered, worthy of someone’s time.
We don’t just learn as we go through life, but we also gain experiences that teach us a deeper understanding of what life really is. This is wisdom; it goes beyond intellect and reaches out to our entire body: the parasympathetic nervous system, oxytocin, dopamine, endorphins, endocannabinoids, breathing, heart rhythm, gut regulation, and hormonal balance.
We are destined for incredible possibilities beyond merely focusing on our own needs. When the chance to serve arises, embrace it wholeheartedly. If people wish to support us, welcome their kindness and allow yourself to feel truly deserving of their generosity.
I can only pray that in your life, you can experience the kind of love 400 campers and at least a hundred staff members felt when there was more to go around than our simple minds could imagine.
Life is more than just pursuit, accomplishment, and struggle- it’s about finding joy in all things, being merry, and putting faith in a sovereign God and what he provides for us daily.
“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance toward you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26
From Where I Stand 
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