In the morning of Sunday 5th November 2017 I Mrs. Christine Mugimba had a dream. In it I was encouraging people to read a certain book. As part of the encouragement, I told them my experience of reading a book called “The State of Africa”, and how difficult it was to read; because history as a subject had not been easy for me back in high school. Later, I heard people saying, “You should see the kind of books Christine reads. If she is reading a book and God leads her to read another, she does so.”

That Sunday morning as I preached, I told the congregation how I was currently studying the history of our country Uganda. Imagine, therefore, the excitement I felt when Christine walked up to me after the service, and shared this dream she had had the same morning! God is amazing.

Since 9th October this year, I have developed an interest in the history of Uganda. The fact that I am now interested in the origins and past of my country could be an indication that I have finally become of age. The other reason could be that a time has come (or is around the corner) for me to play a significant role in the affairs of my nation. The later seems more plausible and relevant to everyone who intends to impact their generation for good.

You see, we are all assigned to be of Godly influence in specific areas of life, among a particular group of people. How is that going to happen if we do not know or understand the history of those spheres of life?

Granted, we might achieve some good; however it will not be as great as it could have been had we become “historians” of what we are called to, nor will it be as great as God would have wanted it to be.

History gives us the advantage of hindsight, inspiring us to move forward as we use and improve what worked well, without repeating what went wrong. The saying is true that those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.

In an encounter with Jesus Christ at age 12, Roberts Liardon was commissioned to study the lives of God’s Generals, to learn why they succeeded and/or failed. Jesus told him that there would come a generation that would need to know that history. That Jesus told someone to study History and make it available for those to come, shows its importance.

God wants you to study the history that is relevant to your assignment. For example, if you are called to work (serve) in Uganda, God desires that you get acquainted with its history. That way, you will effectively represent and serve Him. Of course, as you study the general history of a nation, dedicate a lot of time to the study of the specific area you are assigned to influence. And as you do so, do not simply take in events, dates and names. Ask yourself what God was working to achieve and whether His co-workers, the humans, ably discerned His intentions and followed the same agenda.

It is interesting to know the actual meaning of the word history. To quote Bishop Lalachan Abraham, “The origins of the word history come from a combination of two words: ‘His’ and ‘Story’. History is not just a series of dates and events. Rather, history is the story of God working through people.”

Therefore, as you study History, ask God questions like: What was Your opinion? What did You want to achieve? Which side were You on? How did people cooperate with You? What can I learn for the present and future in order to serve You better?

God bless you.