Bishop Asiimwe Urges Makobore Students to Utilize their Time Profitably

The Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese, The Rt. Rev Onesimus Asiimwe has urged students at Makobore High School to seize the opportunities and utilize their time Profitably for the time they are in school.

He said this today while visiting the school to inaugurate and commission the chapel equipment; Set of Jazz Drums and its Accessories, Electric Bass Guitar and Bass beam that were donated by Mr. Kamugisha Richard Baabo who is the Chairperson Board of Governors Makobore High School.

Bishop Asiimwe thanked and recognized the efforts of Mr. Richard Baabo who saw the need and gave generously to have this equipment bought.

Preaching from Luke 19:1-10, the account of Zacchaeus, Bishop Asiimwe described Zacchaeus as a wealthy chief tax collector in Jericho who had acquired a bad reputation through dishonesty and exploitation of others. Despite his status and wealth, Zacchaeus had a deep desire to see Jesus when he heard that He was passing through Jericho.

The Bishop noted that because of his short stature and the large crowd surrounding Jesus, Zacchaeus could not see Him. Determined not to miss the opportunity, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree where Jesus would pass.

“Jesus was a crowd-puller wherever He went. Zacchaeus refused to allow obstacles to stop him from seeing Jesus. He positioned himself strategically because he desired an encounter with Christ,” Bishop Asiimwe said.

Reflecting on the spiritual condition of humanity, the Bishop observed that sin diminishes human dignity and pulls people down.

“Perhaps Zacchaeus was not only physically short but also spiritually short because of sin. Sin degrades, dehumanizes, and destroys people. When a thief steals, they do not walk confidently with their heads high. Sin brings people down,” he said.

“Jesus knew Zacchaeus by name. Do not be worried; Jesus knows you by name. You may not be known by your headteacher,  or other influential people, but Jesus knows you personally,” he said.

Using this example, he urged students and teachers to respect one another by addressing people by their names rather than identifying them by tribe, clan, or other labels.

“It is important to recognize people as individuals created in the image of God. Let us address people by their names and treat them with dignity,” he added.

The Bishop also challenged the students to examine the “trees” they are climbing in their lives. Referring to Zacchaeus’ sycamore tree, he said many people today are climbing trees of hatred, lust, masturbation, pornography  and other sinful behaviors.

“I do not know which tree you are climbing today, but Jesus is calling you by name to come down,” he said.

Speaking about the reaction of the crowd when Jesus chose to dine with Zacchaeus, Bishop Asiimwe noted that many people judged Zacchaeus because of his past, but Jesus came specifically to seek and save the lost.

Whereas religion is man seeking God, salvation is Jesus Christ coming from heaven to seek and save mankind.

“People grumbled because Jesus entered the house of a sinner. But that is the mission of Christ. He came to seek and save those who are lost. Jesus entered a house built with stolen wealth and sat on furniture bought with stolen money because He wanted to transform a lost soul,” he said.

The Bishop pointed out that Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus resulted in genuine repentance and transformation, demonstrated by his willingness to give half of his possessions to the poor and restore what he had wrongfully taken.

“Salvation changes a person. When Christ enters your life, He gives you peace, contentment, and a new direction.

Seize the moment, you will never get that time again as a student. Time lost is never gained. You lose your time now; you will never have/gain it.

Know your status and always set the bar high. Avoid and flee sexual immorality; fornication. I dated for two and a half years with my wife and I never touched her said Bishop Asiimwe.

When you behold the glory of God, the things of the earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory.

Students, I plead with you in the name of Jesus Christ, flee pornography lest it will destroy you.

The time is going to come when you will not need to make any adverts for this school. Just perform well and let your good deeds be heard in the night

Later on, Bishop Asiimwe had a talk with staff; teachers 1 Corinthians 11:4 Imitate me just as I also imitate Christ. Through this scripture, Bishop Asiimwe called upon the teachers to live an exemplary life that students would imitate.

By the life you live, would you say to your children or students do what I do?
Students will always do what you do. In your words, be role models, in your actions be role models.

Be gentle with your words. Words are potent. Words have power, they can either build or destroy. They can easily condemn. The toungue has the power of life and death. The only difference between you and the students is only a question of time.

Delivering the speech on behalf of the headteacher, Mr. Mwesigwa Denis the deputy headteacher administration promised and assured that there’s going to be good results coming out from the school. We promise to improve in our academics. We have been in the process of reformation and I can affirm that we have now stabilized and promise that we shall deliver results.

He highlighted a few challenges including shortage of water in the school, limited space where to accommodate students and many teachers not on government payroll with only 28 teachers on payroll making it costly to run their salaries.