"Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.”

When Jesus visited Martha and Mary, Mary "sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying" while Martha was distracted by her many tasks.  When Martha complained about Mary Jesus told her "you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing."  (Luke 10. 38-42)

We go through each day "wearied, bothered, upset, anxious and troubled" about many things (various translations) as though these attitudes were a necessary part of doing things well.  Not only are they unnecessary but they're extremely harmful for they distract us from hearing Christ speak.

We eat our fill of the good, temporal things which God has blessed us with in this life and clamor for more.  We seek out Jesus for the temporal benefits he can provide then leave him alone until we are hungry for more loaves.  But the temporal blessings are meant to draw us forth to seek the eternal blessings of faith in Christ, for "it is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is useless."  (John 6.63)

There is a misperception which is very common which suggests that unless we fuss about our daily work we won't accomplish it well.  And since accomplishing well our daily duties is an important part of being a Christian modern authors explain away the power of Christ's words.  We can work to provide for our daily needs while remaining detached from it, with our heart and soul lifted up to Christ all the while.  Martha was not told to stop with her preparations "which had to be made" (New International Version) but rather to cease worrying, to stop being distracted by them.  How to we accomplish this?  It takes effort, it takes work just as Jesus said.  But if we reserve the real work of our lives for faith, the Son of Man will give it to us, and it will endure for eternal life.

Finally, in our active service let us remember Peter's mother-in-law who, once healed by Jesus, "got up and began to serve him."  (Matthew 8.15).  This was, no doubt, no small task for that evening many were brought to him.  Yet she was no doubt in deep recollection over her healing.