Wednesday, December 14

Matthew 11:28-29

Lee Hipp

Matthew 11:28-29

“Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Often called the “Great Invitation and Great Demand,” this beloved passage offers the gift of peace as a reward for living a Christ-centered life.  This promise from Christ represents all of the Advent blessings – hope, love, joy and peace.

Rick Warren states in the first sentence of his book, The Purpose-Driven Life, “It’s not about you.” So what I am about to share with you is not really about me. In my mid-twenties, I experienced a personal crisis that left me filled with despair. This condition resulted from a combination of events that made me question my purpose in life. I sought advice from two family members for whom I had great respect – my grandmother and older brother. My grandmother, a lifelong devout Presbyterian, told me to “surrender” while my brother, in a separate conversation, suggested I simply “open my heart.”

Their advice led me to the realization that I needed to relinquish control or at least share it, as would be the case in taking up the yoke. Gradually my anguish subsided as I gave over to God’s incredible Grace. Over the following months and years, the Spirit of Hope moved me to make a career change, complete the necessary training and eventually secure a faculty position at Virginia Western Community College, where I found what I believe was not my purpose but God’s purpose for me.

Prayer: (from the Beatles’ “Let It Be.”)

When I find myself in times of trouble

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be.

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.