Mint Chocolate Chip: The Prize?

“Looking unto (Yahshua) Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured The Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the Right Hand of the Throne of (The Most High) God.”

Hebrews 12:2

Years ago, I caught an interview that Larry King did with Liza Minnelli.

The subject came up about getting through hard times.

If you are familiar with Ms. Minnelli, you know that she has had a challenging life: multiple marriages, addiction issues, and being the daughter of the late Judy Garland, who cast an enormous shadow for any child to reside in.

Larry King asked her what her strategy was for getting through those “tough times.”

She responded, “Well, I imagine the reward of Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream as the reward for whatever I’m going through.”

I get her point.

And, yeah, I have a background of disordered eating. I know that making food the focus, to the point where it is “reward,” or “comfort food,” is far from ideal.

The Most High is to be our reward and focus, not ice cream.

Yet, Liza Minelli’s statement brought up Hebrews 12:2 for me.

“Looking unto (Yahshua) Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured The Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the Right Hand of the Throne of (The Most High) God.”

And there are connecting points. Our Savior and Ice Cream?

Yep.

Because it is about enduring the Cross… for the reward/prize/joy.

The challenge for each of us to is transfer, whether literal of figurative ice cream, for the sole, undivided focus of The Most High.

The challenge comes when we step forward and pattern our lives AFTER Our Savior’s steps.

And yeah, I guess there can be some ice cream, imperfectly positioned, along the way.

What are you enduring today?

What is your chosen reward for getting through the hard times, the difficulty, the pain, and the trials?

Where is HE in the middle of that process?

We’re all learning how to go “from Glory to Glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

It is an unfolding “becoming” process.

We learn it, with mistakes being made, along the way.

But the point is to not stop at the ice cream.

Ice cream is not the answer.

HE is.

He is the Author; He is the Finisher.

He supersedes Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”

Psalm 34:8

 

Abba Father-

We come to You, in the Name of Your Son, Yahshua.

Help us, as we struggle to endure and focus on You.

You know what coping substitutes we have inserted in Your Place.

You know how we look forward to something else, whether it be ice cream, or any other temporary fix.

Forgive us for that.

Help us to change. Help us to change into becoming more like You.

You are Our Faith and Life Author; You are Our Faith and Life Finisher.

Take over our lives completely and help us learn to look to ONLY YOU as our joy and Our reward.

Help us learn how to follow You.

Thank You for loving us, through Your Son.

Help us to endure and to live that out, following Him each day of our lives.

We receive it now, In the Name of Yahshua, Our Savior,

Amen.

Copyright © 2025 by Sheryle Cruse