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Indebtedness and gratitude
Often times in the face of some eventuality that has overtaken us, we find ourselves saying regretfully. “If I had only known, I would have done differently.” Sometimes this is true, but more often it isn’t the fact that we don’t know what gets us into difficulties, but rather we choose to ignore what we do know.
We mix so little wisdom with our knowledge. We know the facts of history. We know what causes have produced what results in the past but time has a way of making the past seem different from the present. We may believe that Babylon and Rome fell because of their moral and spiritual dissolution. It seems so easy to believe this because it is all far in the past. But it doesn’t seem so easy to believe such probabilities of our own time and our own generation, however true they may be.
From history and from scripture it seems quite easy to believe that the breaking of a law has always exacted its penalty. It seems easy to believe of the past that the terrible luxury of over indebtedness has always brought a day of disastrous reckoning; that those who would rather mortgage the future than curtail their appetites have always been brought low in remorse. It seems easy to believe of the past that the Lord God has often permitted evil men to pursue their purposes for a short season before overruling their evil works. But what is not so easy to believe, but is also solemnly true is that, these same causes will still lead to these same results in our day.
We have not charmed immunity from the consequences of our own doing. On this point the Father of all men has said: “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” Knowledge of the past we have both of scripture and of history. It would seem now that we might well transmit that knowledge into wisdom, by believing of our own generation what we so readily believe of the past and then order our lives accordingly. No, it isn’t so much what we don’t know that causes our troubles but rather what we choose to ignore.
Not long ago, a University Researcher decided to conduct an experiment on gratitude. But her motives weren’t purely academic. This researcher is a mother of four teenagers. She explained, “I wanted to learn more about how I can raise my kids to be more grateful in an era of entitlement.”
What she learned might be a bit surprising: gratitude is tied to feelings of indebtedness. We often think of debt as a burden, an obligation that must be paid. But the research study found that feeling indebted to God, acknowledging what He has done for us, “leads to increased overall happiness and well-being.” The debt we owe to Him is one we can never pay, yet those who recognise that debt actually feel closer to Him, not intimidated by Him. What’s more, they are also more likely to reach out to others in acts of service and kindness. Rather than feeling burdened, they seem to be uplifted and inspired by their debt to the Giver of all good gifts.
The study was published in a major academic journal, but it had a major influence in the researcher’s family. “In our house,” she said, “we don’t just practise the feeling of gratitude; we practise acknowledging our indebtedness and expressing our gratitude through service.”
We all owe much to the kindness and goodness of others. While we’re certainly responsible for our own choices in life, we are indebted also to those who have taught us, nurtured us, and helped us along the way. And, above all, we are indebted to our Maker for life and everything in it. Indeed, every good thing comes from Him.
The more deeply we feel that, the more inclined we are to see that goodness all around us. We start to see God’s hand not just in our lives but in others’ as well. In this way, we draw closer both to God and to His other children, our brothers and sisters in God’s wonderful world.
By Samuel Enos Eghan
EXCESSIVE academic pressure coupled with weak spiritual formation is gradually eroding the moral foundations of the current generation of children, Rev. Daniel Amoako Nyarko, President of the Ghana Blue Cross, has warned.
According to him, the spiritual vulnerability of these children in the contemporary society was something parents and society must be concerned about.
Rev. Daniel Amoako Nyarko made the remark at the launch of the 120th anniversary celebration of the Ghana Blue Cross at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Emmanuel Congregation, Aburi, in the Akuapem Presbytery.
Blue Cross Ghana, founded in 1906 and affiliated with the International Blue Cross, is a faith-based NGO under the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and focused on preventing alcohol and substance abuse.
It provides advocacy, counselling, rehabilitation, and self-help group services to promote dignified, drug-free lifestyles, particularly for youth.
The anniversary launch, held at the historic Aburi mission enclave in the Eastern Region, also marked 120 years since the birth of the Blue Cross movement in Ghana.
According to Rev. Nyarko, the present generation of children were burdened and overstretched with academic demands and are spiritually neglected.
“Today’s children have a lot of problems. They are overburdened with academic assignments and left with little spiritual engagement; this is gradually destroying them,” he indicated.
That vulnerability, he emphasised, could lead such children to other social vices that endanger their lives and put their future in doubt.
Consequently, Rev. Nyarko cautioned the youth against substance abuse, declaring that, “Do not let drugs and alcohol waste your life.”
He noted that addiction was not merely a social issue but a spiritual crisis requiring collective compassion and intervention.
Drawing from 2 Timothy 1:3–8, he urged believers to uphold sincere faith and spiritual courage, emphasising that victims of drugs and alcohol need care, not condemnation.
Rev. Nyarko called on parents and the Church to intentionally pass on the moral and spiritual heritage of the Presbyterian tradition to younger generations. Quoting Job 14:14, he appealed to members to live with eternal consciousness and renewed commitment to mission.
He also urged “all meaningful members of the Presbyterian Church and Christians alike” to carry the perishing at heart and actively participate in rescue efforts through evangelism, mentoring, and structured Christian fellowship.
He invited the adult generation to rise to the challenge of confronting social decay by supporting the Blue Cross movement through prayer, availability, and financial commitment.
“Sow your seed to make the work of the Blue Cross a lasting legacy for the Church and the Ghanaian community,” he stated.
120 years of moral reform
The Blue Cross movement in Ghana traces its roots to Aburi, approximately 120 years ago during a period of intense missionary and revival influence within the Presbyterian tradition.
Established as a Christian temperance movement, Blue Cross emerged in response to rising concerns about alcohol abuse and moral decline.
Its foundation combined biblical teaching, moral discipline, public pledges of abstinence, and structured fellowship.
Grounded in texts such as 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, Ephesians 5:18, and Romans 12:1, the movement framed abstinence not merely as social reform but as theological obedience — presenting the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit and a living sacrifice unto God.
From Aburi, the movement spread across Presbyterian congregations nationwide, shaping generations of youth through pledge, prayer, and practice.
The General Secretary of the Ghana Blue Cross, Rev. Patrick Adjei Acheampong, in his brief address, recounted the milestones achieved over the past century.
He highlighted the movement’s role in youth mentorship, addiction prevention advocacy, moral formation programmes, and community engagement initiatives across Ghana.
Rev. Acheampong expressed gratitude to past leaders who, in his words, “held the fort and passed it on faithfully to this generation.”
He noted that the anniversary celebration was not merely ceremonial but a moment of reflection, renewal, and recommitment to the founding vision birthed in Aburi more than a century ago.
Beyond celebration
As the Ghana Blue Cross marks 120 years of existence, the message from the Presbyterian Church leadership is clear: the challenge of moral discipline, youth formation, and substance abuse remains urgent.
The anniversary launch was, therefore, framed not as nostalgia but as a renewed covenant to protect children, restore the addicted, strengthen families, and anchor the Church once again in disciplined, Spirit-filled living.
The anniversary Planning Committee Chairperson, Rev. Daniel Ofori Appiah, has appeal to all and sundry to support and make the celebration a memorable one.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
BISHOP Dr Richard Owusu Akyeaw, the Founder and General Overseer of Living Grace Ministries, has condemned the growing acts of indiscipline and lawlessness in second cycle institutions.
He called for a collective approach to reverse the trend, saying that discipline triggered academic excellence in achieving life successes.
Bishop Dr Akyeaw made the call when speaking at a durbar of parents, teachers, and students to climax the 15th anniversary celebration of the Standard School of Royals in Sunyani and praised the school authorities for the level of discipline among the students and pupils.
He noted that instilling a sense of discipline would improve academic performance of students and thereby advance academic growth and development in schools.
Bishop Dr Akyeaw said that:
“Excellence isn’t an event, but a habit formed through consistency and self-discipline,”
saying that any disciplined environment fostered confidence, creativity, and love for nation.
He commended the teachers of the school for the dedication in moulding the students and pupils responsibly and urged the school children to remain focused, obedient, and studious.
Mrs Vivian Adu Bonsu, the Proprietress of the School, expressed appreciation to God, management, teachers, and parents for the school’s academic successes.
She said despite some emerging challenges, the school remained committed to achieving its vision of churning out quality and well-behaved and morally upright graduates. –GNA
