My love affair with mint chocolate chip ice cream began when I was about 5 years old. One day, my mom, brother and I traveled down to the local Baskin Robbins for some ice cream, as we frequently would back then. When we walked in and I attempted to order my beloved blue raspberry ice cream, the cashier informed me they had discontinued the flavor. I was devastated. Every time we went, I would always order a big bowl of blue raspberry with crushed Reese’s on top. In a panic, my eyes scanned the cartons beneath the glass display on the freezer. What could possibly replace my blue raspberry with Reese’s? As I looked with tears welling up in my eyes, the light green color of the creamy mint ice cream caught my eye. With no idea what the flavor was or how it tasted, I ordered a bowl. I loved it.

Today, my appetite for ice cream has only grown with my age and I seldom get anything other than mint chocolate chip. A few years ago down in Maryland on vacation, my family stopped into a Baskin Robbins for dessert one night. Guess what flavor came back from the dead? Blue raspberry.

I was 21 at the time and hadn’t tasted the stuff since I was 5. My brother (who shared my love for Blue Raspberry and Reese’s after his cherished Green Apple ice cream was discontinued) eagerly placed his order for a large cup of blue raspberry with lots of crushed Reese’s. Next was my turn to order. I walked out with a large cup of mint chocolate chip.

It wasn’t that tough of a decision. The only thing that really motivated me to get the blue raspberry was the fact that I used to get it as a little guy. It would be fun to see if I remembered the taste and if that would bring back memories. I preferred the mint though, because of the taste. I knew I would be pleased with mint, it was more of a sure thing.

At this point, you may think I’m insane for analyzing an ice cream choice to this degree. However, I think that a lot of times, we treat what we believe about the most important questions of life much like how we treat our favorite ice cream flavor. Let me explain:

Today, “preference” is a very prominent term. I doubt me saying that I preferred mint chocolate chip ice cream over blue raspberry really made anyone bat an eye. Clearly, a person liking one ice cream flavor over another isn’t something to get upset about, because it is a matter of opinion with little significance attached. Nobody is really affected by my affinity for mint chocolate chip.

Conversely, the worldviews we share and disagree on have a variety of implications. Among them are our understandings of how we got here in the first place, who we are and where we’re going. What we believe about these things can be seen through the decisions we make every day. So often though, we fail to see the deeper meanings these decisions point to.

However, there are more extreme situations in which beliefs about reality are tragically discovered and mulled over. About 1.6 million people* a year believe they (or the world) would be better off dead rather than alive. Convinced of this, they act upon it and commit suicide. A suicidal worldview is one with no hope, one in which the victim doesn’t see that they are more than just an organism in a cold world. The effects of such a worldview are beyond bleak and push victims into deep pits as suicidal thoughts circulate in their minds. This worldview like so many others, leaves loved ones speechless and heartbroken at the outcome.

Worldviews cannot be treated lightly, like they are simply just another opinion or another ice cream flavor. While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, each one must be thoroughly tested to see what the implications are; then the truth will come to light.

If we don’t examine what we believe, we are in grave danger. This is where I hope you’ll consider what God says about you. He says he made you for his own good pleasure, for his purposes. He says he loves you with a perfect and undying love. He showed this love for us by sending Jesus to the cross for you and me. In a world devoid of peace, God promises us HIS peace, unlike anything the world can give. First peace with God, accompanied with peace from Him.  The result of this peace with God will change your life here on earth and for eternity. Please consider.

*American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: 2016 Facts and Figures

The following scripture was referenced throughout this blog. Please check these wonderful truths out for yourself!

Revelation 4:11 – God made you for His own good pleasure.

John 3:16 – He loves you perfectly and eternally.

Romans 5:8 – He showed His love for us by sending Jesus.

John 14:27 – He promises us His peace.

John 3:16 – Your life and eternity will be changed with this peace.