By Our Reporter
KAMPALA – The deputy speaker Jacob Oulanyah joined thousands upon thousands of Christians who gathered at Namboole National Stadium on Monday night to usher in 2019.
The gathering spearheaded by Victory Christian Centre – Ndeeba under the theme “Little by Little, Step by Step”, started as early as 8am with security tightened for safety,
Speaking on behalf of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Oulanyah said the reason the Head of State chose him “is because he knows I am a man of faith. He knows I am a believer. “
Oulanyah told believers even in celebrating God’s faithfulness, they have to be in context, applying God’s laws in every situations.
The time difference in which counties usher in the new year presents the diversity in the world, Oulanyah said.
“For you to give true meaning to the world of God, you have to be context specific. You have to apply it to your situation. That is the only way you will make the word of God relevant,” he added.
This was the 17th time prayers were organised at the over 45,202-seater Stadium under the tag line; Passover Festival.
Speaker Oulanyah’s Full Speech
What is in Uganda for the New Year? What has been in Uganda in the past year? As we memorize the past, we project the future. And in doing that we apply God’s laws, and they are simply two; Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
There are two important questions we must find answers too as we leave Namboole in the new year. The first question was asked in the old testament and the second in the new testament.
In the Old Testament; Cain killed Abel and God told him; What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Afterward the LORD asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel?” “I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
That is the question I have for you today. Are you your brother’s keeper? We can come and pray, and do whatever we want to do, but if we cannot give a positive answer to that question, we are wasting time.
As we step into the new year, let us answer this question in chorus saying, yes I am my brother’s keeper. Yes I am my sister’s keeper. If we cross the new year without answering that question that way, we will have lost an opportunity.
The second question is asked in the new testament. A lawyer had an argument with Jesus Christ. And in the final analysis, he asked Jesus; who is my neighbour.
In answering that question we should not be like the levite or priest, who walked away with out helping the wounded man in Luke 10:25-37. We should be like the Samaritan, that all of us are worth loving. Love your neighbour as yourself. All of us must be like Jesus Christ that all of us are worth dying for.
As Ugandans, we must answer these questions; especially now. Are we our brother’s/sister’s keeper? Is he/she your neighbour? The answer to this question will determine what you will do to the next person near you.
