LUKE 17:14-18
I was once a shepherd boy; I took care of my father’s cattle and sheep most part of my childhood life. A vocation that unearths the leadership abilities of many great leaders; an art that teachers humility, submission and responsibility.
During those days, elderly men would usually come to my father’s palace (my father was a paramount chief) to express their gratitude through my father to me for taking “good” care of their cattle. They usually will come along with little gifts such as corn, millet, meat etc. Such acts motivated not just me, but also other younger children to graze their cattle well. Today, the gratitude and thankfulness exhibited in those days have all of a sudden disappeared. Many people; including older and younger people have become more egocentric and more self-centred. If you ask most people, especially believers why they are UNGRATEFUL, they will probably say, “of course not”. But this attitude is so ingrained in their lives, they can not openly admit, or even realise how ungrateful they are.
In our present generation, “forgetfulness, or poor return for kindness received” is the order of the day. Many people do not appreciate, or value what they or have been given. “Unexpressed gratitude is also ingratitude”. We live in a fast-paced environment, and most Christians don’t seem to have time to express thankfulness to God or show gratitude to a boss, wife, husband, staff, pastor, co-workers or even children.
Have you ever given a gift, or rendered a service and not received a “Thank You” for it? Have you ever felt unappreciated by a friend, family member or co-workers? How did that make you feel? That should have been your turning point. You should have began a crusade to start showing gratitude, but alas! You are behaving the same way towards people; the very things that got you upset has caught you in a vicious cycle of ingratitude.
In 1 Samuel 25 1-10 David had saved Nabal from bandits. Later, David requested for some favour including water. Nabal acted as if he had never heard the name David before. “Nabal answered, Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? ( 1 Samuel 25:10)
We live in perilous times.
Apostle Paul writes; This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, BLASPHEMERS, disobedient to parents, UNTHANKFUL..( 2Timothy 3:1-4)
The irony is that, “ungrateful people don’t have time for you unless they need something from you. They only turn to you for friendship when they are in need. They are never ashamed to you ask for something over and over again. Everything is always about them. Take a moment, check the people around you. How grateful are you to them, and do you show gratitude?
Stay blessed always and remember to love someone and mean it.
#sociallysignificant #Lukebarson #Libertybreakfast
Rev. Prophet Luke Luki Barson is the Senior Pastor at Liberty House Christian Centre at Tema Community 25.
He has studied at the University of Ghana, the Methodist University College and the Christian Service University College.
He is currently a PhD student at the University of South Africa.
Source: BestNewsGH.com
