Burdened.

That word stood out to me in the Gospel today.

Martha was “burdened with much serving.” The serving wasn’t the problem. Serving is good. Work is good. I have been thinking a lot lately about how man is made for work.

But burdened? That is different.

Jesus tells Martha she is “anxious and worried about many things.” Somehow the good work of serving had become something else.

I know I can do that too.

Work is not the same as burden. Responsibility is not the same as anxiety. Doing my best does not mean I have to control the outcome. And servant leadership does not mean self-reliance.

Paul says today that God had “set me apart and called me through his grace.” And the Psalm says, “O LORD, you have probed me and you know me.”

God knows me. God calls me. God gives me the grace I need. Then I work.

But I can flip that around. I work. I accomplish. I prove myself. And somewhere along the way I start acting like my work is what makes me worthy.

Maybe that is when good work starts becoming a burden.

God already knows me. He has already called me. My work is my response to Him, not a way to prove myself to Him or anyone else.

So my prayer today is simple. Lord, help me pray, prepare, and do the work You have given me as well as I can. Help me work hard without becoming burdened, and trust You with the outcome.

Where are you working today as if you have something to prove?

I pray you get the graces you need today.

Keep up the good fight.

I’m praying for you. Please pray for me.

Scripture: Galatians 1:13-24 | Psalm 139 | Luke 10:38-42