Deuteronomy 11:8-15; 1 Corinthians 15:58; John 6:35-40
Introduction
As Christians and stewards of God’s creation, let us engage in the discussion on our lifestyle and the environment. The theme for our discussion will be, "Celebrating Our Heritage: Persisting in Mission, Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle and Sustainable Environment."
It is a timely call to remember where we have come from, stay faithful in where we are going, and take responsibility for the consequences of how we live, not just spiritually, but physically and environmentally.
Celebrating Our Heritage
Speaking of heritage evokes the celebration of anniversaries, festivals, and inheritance, and, more importantly, the passing down of values from one generation to another.
Heritage is not only traditional dressing, dance, building, or the food, it is also our spiritual inheritance in Christ and our responsibility to steward the earth and our bodies for His glory.
"Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 20 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 11:19-20)
We should always bear in mind that our individual actions invariably affect others as well. John Mbiti would say, “We are because God made us for one another and for Himself. Our life is life together.”
Heritage is not something we merely receive; it is something we preserve, enrich, and pass on through mission, healthy living, and care for creation.
In Ghana, our Christian heritage is deep. Our forebears laboured to bring the gospel to every corner. But this gospel did not just come with Bibles; it also came with schools, hospitals, and agricultural stations.
Persisting in Mission
To persist is to endure with purpose, especially when it's hard.
In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul tells us: "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord..."
Mission is not just about preaching; it is also about giving ourselves to live out the values of the Kingdom of God in every space, our homes, workplaces, churches, schools, politics, marketplaces, and gatherings.
The Ghanaian society today is bedeviled with environmental destruction by 'galamsey,' masterminded by corrupt individuals, political and traditional leaders. But we must not give up. If our forefathers persisted under colonial oppression and hardship, we too must stand strong against moral decay, injustice, and mediocrity.
Mercy Amba Oduyoye, a prominent Ghanaian theologian, puts it, “The mission of the Church is to be a transforming presence wherever it is.” Therefore, the Church should not, must not, ought not, would not, and cannot give up on promoting a healthy lifestyle and a sustainable environment.
Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle and Sustainable Environment
Now, let us turn to our health and our environment.
Deuteronomy 11:8-15 ties obedience to God with the blessing of rain for our land in its season, for fruitful harvests, long life, and strength to live in the land. Our bodies, like the environment, are not just personal possessions; it is a sacred trust also. We are reminded by Mercy Oduyoye that, “God’s gift of life is to be cherished and nurtured; to neglect the body is to disrespect the Creator.”
Jesus Himself chose natural spaces for reflection and relaxation as care for His body. In the mountains, by the sea, and the wilderness (Jn 6:3).
Paul reminded us in 1 Cor. 6:19-20 that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit. John also indicated that God desires that we prosper and be in good health, just as our souls prosper (3 John 1:2).
Our world today is facing a rise in lifestyle diseases: diabetes, hypertension, obesity, stroke, etc., especially in urban areas.
Most of our diets have shifted from plant-based traditional meals to processed, sugar-heavy foods all in the name of "fast food." Stress, poor sleep, and lack of body exercise have become our pattern of life due to overwhelming responsibilities. Healthy living is a requirement for all, especially Christians.
What can we do?
Choosing fresh, locally grown foods (plantain, kontomire, beans, dawadawa, millet, etc.) over processed tin foods, sugar-heavy imported snacks.
Engaging in regular physical activities like walking or cycling when possible, instead of always resorting to vehicles, can help maintain a healthy body.
Let us make church premises wellness hubs like the days of the missionaries. Planting gardens and flowers, a serene, quiet environment to offer health checks, fitness, and meditative relaxations for our own healthy living.
Avoiding harmful practices like over-drinking alcoholic beverages, smoking, indulging in narcotic substances, red, tramadol, and overdosing on energy drinks. Remember, irresponsible care for the body is an affront to our God, the Creator.
Environmental Stewardship
In Genesis 2, humanity was given the charge to work and take care of the Garden of Eden. When God gave Israel the land (Deuteronomy 11), it came with the responsibility to care for it so that it remained fertile and life-giving. Today, environmental stewardship is a Christian mission.
Ghana is suffering from galamsey (illegal mining), plastic waste, deforestation, and water pollution. Rivers like Pra, Ankobra, and Offin, and the beaches, once clean, are now muddy, poisoned, filled with plastics, all of them affecting aquatic life as well as our own.
The Presbyterian Church of Ghana’s Eco-Congregation Programme, dealing with recycling and upcycling, is training churches to become green-focused: planting trees, managing waste, and creating awareness.
We witness the kind of filth "Bustop Boys," a volunteer group who have championed the distilling and clearing of choked gutters, pushes out there.
We must jump on board with these great initiatives to reclaim our environment. We cannot tire now. We owe it to the Creator Himself as well as the present and future generations of all species in the environment.
Conclusion:
Our heritage is both cultural and spiritual. As Ghanaians, we can celebrate our festivals while using them as platforms to share God’s love. As Christians, our mission is not divorced from how we care for the body and the environment; these are all part of worship.
Beloved in Christ Jesus, our heritage, mission, and environment are not three separate issues. They are one life in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and sustainable environment.
Let us live healthy, sustainable lives, not to prolong life alone, but to glorify the Giver of life.
God, our Saviour, is also the Creator of the universe. Our Mission with Him is complete only when we live a healthy lifestyle, save souls, and promote environmental stewardship.
Shalom aleikhem...
Complex topic. Well done. Thank you
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