By Charles katabalwa,
KAMPALA
This was from the Christmas Message of The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu the Archbishop of Church of Uganda.
“My fellow Ugandans – We have allowed evil to prosper in Uganda at all levels, including our families, but the transformation of our country begins when individuals and families recognize they can’t be their own saviour, when they invite Jesus to rescue them, and when they pursue righteousness and holiness in their families” Kazimba says .
This Christmas, I urge you to stop trying to be your own saviour and to surrender your life to Jesus, who was born to save us, Kazimba reveals
“This is not only true for our families where too many children suffer because of the bad decisions by their parents, but it is also true for the Church”
The Church has also suffered because of bad decisions by its leaders. I have lost count of the number of times I have been sued by a group of “Concerned Christians” because their candidate for Bishop was not elected.
Spiritual leadership is different from secular or political leadership. Spiritual leaders follow in the footsteps of Jesus, “Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2.6-7)
There is too much “grasping” to be a Bishop or to have “your man” become a Bishop. Becoming a Bishop is not about seizing power, influence, and status. Instead, it is about empowering others to excel in the gifts of the Spirit for the building up of the Body of Christ and the extension of God’s Kingdom. Too many people think if they get “their man” elected as Bishop, he will save them. That’s just not true. Only Jesus can save us. Christmas reminds us of that.
It was a joy to see the peaceful election and creation of two new baby dioceses this year – West Rwenzori and East Busoga. We congratulate the Bishops of their mother dioceses and the leaders of those new dioceses for working tirelessly to see this day come to pass. I remind you of Jesus’ words to his disciples, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 21.25-26)
My brothers and sisters, these are only a few of the spiritual issues facing Uganda today. We cannot save ourselves. Only the One who was born 2,000 years ago in the small town of Bethlehem – the One who was named “The Lord Saves” – only Jesus can rescue and save us from these problems.
Will you turn to him today and make this Christmas the beginning of another revival we so desperately need.
“I send warm Christmas greetings to His Excellency, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda, Hon. Janet and their entire family and all our government leaders. All the Bishops and their wives, the Clergy, Lay Readers and Christians of the Church of Uganda. I also send my sincere greetings, along with prayers for a blessed Christmas for our Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Pentecostal brethren, and all those who have looked in hope for the coming of the One who will save people from their sins, Jesus the Christ” he said
