Please accept my sincere appreciation for being invited to this year's prize-giving function. I really feel honoured to open it with scripture reading and prayer.
Before I read something from Proverbs, I want to share a few thoughts about this event called the prize-giving function.
THS has this beautiful tradition to reward its learners for achievements during the year, whether it is for academic work, for sports, for cultural activities, for leadership, etc. With these prizes the school recognises its learners and appreciates what they have done. Therefore learners, you receive certificates, trophies and other forms of physical prizes.
Ongelukkig ontvang almal nie altyd 'n fisiese prys nie. Ka maswabi, ha se bohle re ka tholang dimpho. Dit is hoe die lewe ongelukkig werk en dus mag die lewe vir jou onregverdig voorkom. Ke ka moo bophelo bo leng ka teng. Bophelo ha bo ka moo re bo lebelletseng.
Sommige mense behaal hoër punte, ander sing mooier, ander hardloop vinniger, ens. Die geheim is egter om tevrede te wees met wat jy het. Selfs nog meer belangrik is om onder alle omstandighede dit wat jy wil hê op 'n eerlike manier te verkry. Strewe altyd na beter, maar nooit deur op ander te trap nie.
Batho ha re lekane re se meno. Sephiri sa bophelo, ke ho thabela seo o nang le sona
Sa bohlokwa ke ho fumana seo o nang le sona ka tsela e nepahetseng tlasa maemo ohle. Lwanela se molemo ntle le ho hatikela ba bang.
Although everybody cannot receive a prize, it is certainly possible for each one of you to acquire something specific during your school years, and that is "wisdom". What is wisdom you might ask? Let me try to say it is a certain quality of knowledge (not the knowledge itself), experience and good judgement you must have to choose between right and wrong on a minute by minute basis. Other words to describe wisdom are insight, understanding and common sense. Every one of us must strive to have as much wisdom as possible. Wisdom surpasses all material prizes and it makes you a sophisticated human being.
Let's then hear what the book Proverbs says about wisdom in Proverbs 3:13-17.
Happy is anyone who becomes wise — who gains
understanding. There is more profit in it than there is in silver; it is worth
more to you than gold. Wisdom is more valuable than jewels; nothing you could
want can compare with it. Wisdom offers you long life, as well as wealth and
honour. Wisdom can make your life pleasant and lead you safely through it.
Proverbs 3:13-17 Good News Bible
Note that Provers
first talks about wisdom, and then about gold and silver and jewels. Not the
other way round. We see so many examples, especially nowadays, about
corruption, dishonesty, violence, greediness, unhappiness, and many other
negative things. Hence, ensure that you do not follow the bad examples you see.
Within all of this, don't be distracted by the materialistic world and
wrong-doing. Follow the good examples in life. That is what our Lord wants.
(Henry Welman)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come to You in the name of Jesus.
Your Word declares that we may come to You, the source of wisdom, for wisdom. We do that right now Father, and we ask that You would not only give us wisdom of men, but the wisdom of God. I pray that You would impart into us divine wisdom.
I pray dear Lord that You will give each learner in this school a good future. Show them the way they should go. Direct their steps, let their ears be inclined to hear Your voice, and correct them when they have gone astray.
Please help all us to know the difference between Godly and ungodly intentions, spirits, prophecies, actions and gifts. By the power of the Holy Spirit, help us to know who has been sent by You, and who has not.
Lord God, help all of us to be quick to hear and listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. Let the words of our mouths speak Your truth with wisdom, but in simplicity so that all may understand and benefit by them.
We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus.
Amen.