Serving from Love: Surrendering Anxiety to Jesus

Summary

The story of Martha and Mary invites us to reflect on the priorities in our lives, especially when it comes to serving and being present with Jesus. It’s easy to misunderstand this story as a rebuke of Martha’s service, but Jesus never condemns her for serving. Instead, he gently points out her anxiety and worry, inviting her—and us—to a deeper place of surrender and trust. The real issue is not whether we serve, but from what place in our hearts that service flows. Are we serving out of anxiety and a need for perfection, or out of a place of love and trust in God?

We all have a bit of Martha and Mary within us. In our busy, distracted world, it’s natural to feel pulled in many directions, even during times set aside for prayer or worship. Distractions and worries are part of the human experience, but Jesus invites us to bring those anxieties to him, to surrender them, and to let him transform them. Simple practices—like offering a quick prayer of surrender or writing down distractions to address later—can help us refocus and place Jesus at the center of our day.

When we come to Mass, we are invited to sit at the feet of Jesus, to listen, and to offer all that we are—our joys, our struggles, our anxieties—on the altar. Jesus takes what we bring, transforms it, and gives it back to us in a new way, filled with his grace. This act of surrender is not just for Sunday, but for every day. Each morning, we can offer our day to the Lord, asking for his presence and help to recognize and surrender our worries as they arise.

Serving others is at the heart of following Jesus, but it is meant to flow from a place of love, not anxiety. As we deepen our friendship with Jesus and learn to surrender our worries, our service becomes less burdensome and more joyful. We are called to ask Jesus for the desire and the grace to sit at his feet, to surrender our anxieties, and to trust that he is at work in all things—even when we cannot see it. In this way, our service becomes an act of love, both for God and for others.

Key Takeaways

- True service flows from surrender, not anxiety. Jesus does not rebuke Martha for serving, but for allowing worry to dominate her heart. When we serve from a place of anxiety, our actions become burdensome, but when we surrender our worries to Jesus, our service is transformed into an act of love and freedom. [00:45]

- Distraction is a universal human experience, even in prayer and worship. Rather than feeling guilty about wandering thoughts, we can use them as opportunities to turn back to Jesus, offering a simple prayer of surrender and trust. This habit of redirecting our focus helps us grow in intimacy with God. [03:30]

- Surrender is a daily practice, not a one-time event. Each morning and throughout the day, we are invited to offer our worries, plans, and anxieties to Jesus. By making surrender a habit, we create space for God’s peace and presence to fill our hearts, even amid life’s busyness. [06:10]

- Jesus transforms what we offer him, including our anxieties and imperfections. At Mass, we are invited to place all that we are on the altar, trusting that Jesus will take, transform, and return it to us in a way that brings growth and grace. This mystery reminds us that God is always at work, even in our struggles. [10:00]

- The call to serve is rooted in love, not perfectionism. Striving for perfection can become an obstacle to genuine service and peace. By accepting our limitations and surrendering the desire for everything to be perfect, we open ourselves to serving with joy and trust, knowing that God works all things for good. [13:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Martha, Mary, and the Priority of the Heart
[02:10] - The Challenge of Distraction
[03:30] - Surrendering Worry in Prayer
[04:50] - Practical Tools for Refocusing
[06:10] - Daily Surrender and Trust
[07:30] - The Illusion of Perfection
[08:45] - Offering Ourselves at Mass
[10:00] - Jesus Transforms Our Offerings
[11:20] - God at Work in Our Struggles
[12:30] - Serving from Love, Not Anxiety
[13:00] - Letting Go of Perfectionism
[14:10] - Deepening Friendship with Jesus
[15:20] - A Prayer for Surrender and Trust
[16:30] - Living Out Joyful Service

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Martha, Mary, and the Priority of the Heart

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### Bible Reading

Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)
> Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
> And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

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### Observation Questions

1. In the story of Martha and Mary, what specific concern does Jesus address with Martha? (Luke 10:41-42)
2. According to the sermon, what does Jesus NOT rebuke Martha for, and what does he gently invite her to do instead? [00:45]
3. What are some examples from the sermon of how people (including the pastor) get distracted during times of prayer or worship? [03:30]
4. How does Romans 8:28 connect to the idea of surrendering our worries to God, as mentioned in the sermon? [10:00]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why might Jesus have highlighted Martha’s anxiety and worry rather than her acts of service? What does this reveal about what matters most to him? (Luke 10:41-42)
2. The sermon suggests that both serving and sitting at Jesus’ feet are important, but the order and heart behind them matter. How does this challenge common ideas about what it means to be a “good Christian”? [00:45]
3. The pastor mentions that distractions and worries are a normal part of life, even during Mass or prayer. What does it mean to “surrender” these distractions to Jesus, and why is this important for spiritual growth? [03:30]
4. How does the idea that “God works all things for good” (Romans 8:28) help someone trust God with their anxieties and imperfections? [10:00]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon talks about serving from a place of love rather than anxiety. Think about a time when you served others but felt stressed or overwhelmed. What was driving your service in that moment? How could you approach it differently next time? [00:45]
2. The pastor shared that he gets distracted during Mass and uses a simple prayer or writes down distractions to refocus. What are your biggest distractions during prayer or worship? Would you be willing to try one of these practical tools this week? [03:30]
3. Each morning, the pastor suggests offering your day and worries to Jesus. What would it look like for you to make surrender a daily habit? Is there a specific worry you need to surrender right now? [06:10]
4. At Mass, we are invited to place all our joys, struggles, and anxieties on the altar. What is one thing you are carrying this week that you could consciously offer to Jesus during worship? [10:00]
5. The sermon warns against perfectionism in serving. Are there areas in your life where striving for perfection is making service feel like a burden? How can you let go of the need to have everything “just right”? [13:00]
6. The pastor encourages us to ask Jesus for the desire and grace to sit at his feet. What practical step could you take this week to spend more intentional time with Jesus, even if it’s just a few minutes? [14:10]
7. When you notice anxiety or worry rising up during your day, what is one short prayer or action you could use to surrender it to Jesus in the moment? [15:20]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to close by praying a simple prayer of surrender, offering their worries and service to Jesus, and asking for his peace and presence throughout the week.

Devotional

Day 1: Prioritizing Sitting at Jesus’ Feet Before Serving
True service flows from first spending time with Jesus.

The story of Martha and Mary reminds us that while serving is good and necessary, Jesus calls us to prioritize being with Him above all else. Martha’s anxiety and worry came not from her acts of service, but from missing the opportunity to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen. When we make time to be present with Jesus—whether in prayer, worship, or simply quiet reflection—we find our hearts reordered and our service becomes an act of love rather than a source of stress. Consider how you might first sit with Jesus before you rise to serve others, letting His presence shape your day. [00:10]

Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally pause and sit at Jesus’ feet—before you begin your daily tasks—so that your service flows from His presence?



Day 2: Surrendering Worry and Anxiety to Jesus
Jesus invites us to surrender our worries and anxieties to Him.

It is easy to become overwhelmed by the many demands and distractions of life, just as Martha was. Jesus does not rebuke us for serving, but He gently calls us to let go of the anxiety and worry that can accompany our busyness. By bringing our concerns to Jesus in prayer—whether through a simple surrender in the morning or throughout the day—we open ourselves to His peace and guidance. This habit of surrender transforms our hearts, helping us to trust that He is at work even when we cannot see it. [02:30]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: When worry or anxiety arises today, can you pause and pray, “Jesus, I surrender this to you”—and notice how your heart responds?



Day 3: Trusting God to Work All Things for Good
God transforms our surrendered worries into something good.

When we bring our anxieties, struggles, and even our imperfect efforts to God, He does not simply hand them back unchanged. Instead, He transforms them—just as He transforms bread and wine at the altar—into opportunities for trust, growth, and deeper love. Even when we cannot see how God is working, we can trust that He is present and active, weaving all things together for our good. Looking back, we often recognize God’s hand in situations that once seemed overwhelming. [07:40]

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Reflection: Recall a time when you saw God bring good out of a difficult situation—how might that memory help you trust Him with your current worries?



Day 4: Offering Yourself Fully to God in Worship
Worship is an act of surrender, offering all we are to God.

Each time we gather for worship, especially at Mass, we are invited to bring our whole selves—our joys, struggles, worries, and hopes—and place them on the altar. This act of offering is not just symbolic; it is a real surrender of our lives to God, trusting that He will receive, transform, and use all that we give Him. As we participate in this offering, we are reminded that God desires our hearts more than our perfection, and He meets us in our vulnerability with grace. [09:10]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Reflection: As you worship this week, what specific worry, joy, or part of your life can you consciously offer to God, trusting Him to transform it?



Day 5: Serving Others from a Place of Love, Not Burden
Service becomes joyful when rooted in love and trust in Jesus.

When we allow Jesus to be at the center of our lives, our acts of service are no longer driven by anxiety or a sense of obligation, but by love. As we deepen our friendship with Jesus and surrender our worries to Him, we find that serving others becomes less of a burden and more of a joy. We are called to imitate Christ, who came not to be served but to serve, and to ask Him to stir up a desire in our hearts to serve from a place of love, trusting that He is with us in every act of kindness. [12:00]

Mark 10:45 (ESV)
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Reflection: Who is one person you can serve today—not out of obligation, but as an expression of Christ’s love in you?

Quotes

Now, the old Martha and Mary story makes everybody a little uncomfortable in here, doesn't it? Yeah, we all got a bit of Martha in us, and we think what we hear is that Jesus rebukes Martha for serving, but we have to be very careful, because he would never do that. I mean, of course, first of all, she's a saint, right? So that's a good thing. It's about the priority of things. And that's the real truth of this gospel that we want to kind of take into our own hearts, because Jesus, I mean, notice how he says it to her, Martha, Martha, you're anxious and worried about many things, right? And it's the anxious and worry that Jesus wants Martha to let go of, and to kind of prioritize how do you serve, right? Because we're always called to serve. That's what Jesus did. He came to serve, not to be served. [00:00:05] (55 seconds)  #ServeWithLoveNotWorry Edit Clip

And so in a sense, we just have to kind of understand it within the context of what's going on with Martha and Mary. And maybe we're just kind of a little bit annoyed at Mary because she's sitting around at Jesus' feet, right, and not helping in this moment. And I try to like rethink of the story in a different way of what if when Jesus gets there, Martha and Mary both sit and listen to him for a bit, and then they get up to serve, right? And then everybody helps with the serving. Like there's a priority of things. And where is, where am I serving from, right? [00:01:01] (38 seconds)  #BalanceListeningAndServing Edit Clip

And I don't know about you, but I find myself at times, I get distracted during Mass, right? Isn't that amazing? I bet you thought I didn't get distracted during Mass, didn't you? We all get distracted at times during Mass. I mean, I'll be praying the prayers and all of a sudden I got something running through my mind that I've got to do later. And I'm like, wait, what's happening right now? I got to refocus, right? It's normal. It's going to happen. [00:02:11] (25 seconds)  #SurrenderAnxietyToJesus Edit Clip

There'll be other times throughout our day, like we'll get up and we'll want to give Jesus that time in the morning. But I don't know about you, but as soon as I wake up, I know the 30 ,000 things that I need to work about on this day, right? And so we can get already at the beginning, start to become worried and anxious about all the stuff that's going on in our life. It's a normal situation. [00:02:49] (23 seconds)  #WriteDownWorriesPrayLater Edit Clip

So I do this all the time now. I would just, it's just become a habit for me when I notice that I'm worried or anxious about something, when I notice that I'm distracted by something, I'll just, as soon as I recognize it, I'll just turn it into a prayer. So Jesus, I surrender this to you. First of all, what is it? Is there something that I need to do? If there is, you can show me. I'll do it. Not a problem. Otherwise, I surrender it to you because right now I can't do anything about it. [00:03:32] (27 seconds)  #PerfectIsNotTheGoal Edit Clip

And so one of the ways that you do that is what you're doing today every week that we come to mass on this Sunday mass is all about that offering of ourself so during the offertory right after the the creed and the prayers of the faithful during that offertory we're meant to give ourself to Jesus all the good things of the week all the bad things of the week all the worries and anxieties that are coming my way I'm meant to surrender it and place it on that altar right and then as Jesus takes the bread and wine that we offer him and transforms it into his body and blood and gives us that just imagine what he does with those things that we bring to him right those worries and anxieties he transforms those he doesn't give them back to you as the same thing he transformed those into ways of surrender and of trust that he's at work in this in a mysterious way [00:06:04] (57 seconds) Edit Clip

Because Jesus loves for us to serve he were meant to imitate him and he came to serve not to be served and so in a mysterious way we just have to allow the Lord to help us put him at the center of that serving because when we do we begin to serve out of love and that service becomes less of a burden as Martha mentions right and less worry and anxiety surround it and I begin to do it out of love for Jesus and I begin to do it knowing that he has called me to this moment and so it has that that that desire [00:07:36] (37 seconds) Edit Clip