Resting at His feet: Leaving the striving perspective to gain Christ

Finding peace and freedom from performance by resting in Christ’s finished work

As women, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of striving. We try to be the best wife, mother, daughter, friend, coworker, and servant of God all at once. Our days get filled with endless lists, expectations, and pressures—some from others, some from ourselves. And before we know it, we’re running on empty, exhausted and wondering if we’re enough.

But Jesus never asked us to live this way.

In Luke 10, we see two sisters: Martha and Mary. Martha was busy, distracted, and overwhelmed with serving, while Mary chose a different posture—she sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to His words. When Martha complained, Jesus gently corrected her:

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42 NIV)

Mary chose rest over striving. Presence over performance. Surrender over stress.

The Weight We Carry

Many of us carry invisible burdens:

• The pressure to prove ourselves.

• The guilt of not doing “enough.”

• The comparison that whispers, “She’s better than you.”

• The fear that if we stop striving, everything will fall apart.

But at the feet of Jesus, those burdens lose their power. He reminds us that our worth is not in how much we accomplish, but in who we are in Him.

The Gift of Rest

Resting at Jesus’ feet doesn’t mean neglecting responsibilities. It means shifting our hearts from doing to earn to doing out of love. It means:

• Beginning our day in His presence, not our to-do list.

• Choosing to pause when life gets loud.

• Trusting that God is working, even when we step back.

True rest is not laziness—it’s confidence in Christ’s finished work on the cross. It’s the freedom to breathe and say, “I don’t have to hold it all together, because He already does.”

Trading Striving for Surrender

Surrender happens when we lay down our need to control and let God be God. It’s admitting, “Lord, I can’t, but You can.” It’s choosing intimacy with Him over impressing people.

When we surrender, peace replaces pressure. Joy replaces exhaustion. Faith replaces fear.

A Prayer for Rest

Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve run myself dry trying to do it all in my own strength. Teach me to choose the better portion—sitting at Your feet, listening to Your voice, and resting in Your love. Help me trade striving for surrender and performance for peace. Thank You that Your work is finished, and in You, I am enough. Amen.

⸻

What is one area in your life where Jesus is inviting you to trade striving for surrender today?