Our Appreciation

Image from toonidooni.com

There is a widely quoted Swahili proverb that says “Asante ya punda ni mateke”. This translates to “A kick is a donkey’s way of saying thank you”.

It is often used to describe a situation in which a person has been shown some kindness but has absolutely no gratitude for it. Instead, the person may turn against the giver or act as though nothing important has been done for him or her.

This is not only hurting but also humiliating to the giver. It might make the giver wonder why they went out of their way to help the ungrateful person in the first place, and become hesitant to offer any more assistance, since as the saying goes, ‘Once bitten, twice shy’.

Without a doubt, such an experience is far from pleasant, and more so if the person keeps acting that way after many kindnesses.

Now consider this:

As human beings, we are here because God has granted us life. In addition, He has blessed us with many other things that have enabled each one of us to be where we are today. These may be a good education, a great job, a successful business, a happy marriage, riches, good looks, health, wisdom, etc. We need to ask ourselves: how do we show appreciation for all these things that He has given us?

Do we use the life that He has given us to do exactly what is contrary to His will? Do we use our mouths to curse, blaspheme, insult and lie? Do we use our hands to steal, kill, and harm other objects of His creation that He equally loves as much as He loves us? Do we use the good looks and bodies that He has given us to promote lust and indulge in sexual immorality? Do we use our eyes and ears to watch and listen to things that do not glorify Him? Do we use our energy to design and manufacture harmful products for our own money-minded selfish reasons?

Image from activerain.com

Well, for sure, our actions are a measure of exactly how much we  honor and appreciate Him.

When we do the things that displease Him, we are essentially spitting in His face and telling Him “Thanks but No Thanks God. This is how much I appreciate all this”

If you were God, how would you feel about constantly looking down at the people you created, only to see them doing various vile and destructive things that defile the world and hinder your wonderful plans for them?

You would definitely be grieved, especially after consistently forgiving and forbearing their rebellion, only for them to continue in their sins.

In the Bible, God once sent destruction upon the entire earth due to its wickedness. Genesis 6:5-7 says:

‘The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that He had made man on the earth, and His heart was filled with pain. So The LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth- men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air- for I am grieved that I have made them.”’

Later, in His grace and mercy, God promised never to send a similar punishment (Genesis 9:12-17). He then went ahead and sent His own sinless Son to bear the punishment that we deserve and teach us the right way to live, in order for us to have a chance to part with our old ways  and live the glorious life that God originally planned for us.

Image from duvekot.ca

Indeed, God has kept His promise and has relented from wiping us out in spite of our rebelliousness. However, how have we appreciated all this? By throwing the same kicks as the donkey. We wake up each day and use our God-given breath and the things that He has given us to displease Him and therefore throw His grace right back into His face.