None can get well until they want the responsibility that comes with wellness.

Week after Week people go to church with their R-rated lives and question: "Does God's presence in me really change anything? 

Some who read the bible every day will ask, 'Why don't I get something out of all that reading? 
Isn't it supposed to help me when family dynamics resemble hell in its hand basket?

Then their are the overtired, busy professional officers who ask, "Is spiritual dryness a permanent state? 

And finally the distressed pastor that sits uncomfortably in his office and asks, "What does it mean when I'm too busy to pray? 

What all have in common is in the midst of busy, scattered, exhausted, and hurting lives all want to experience a great love with God where desire and desperation gnaw at their hungry souls, and they want to know if God will show up for them. 

In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said: Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you''ll recover your life. 

Ill show you how to take a real rest. 

Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. 

Learn the unforced rhythms of grace, I wont lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 

Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. 

(The message) 

The desire for a different sort of life doesn't appear out of thin air. 

The longing for something more, no matter how weak or crackling with heat, is evidence that God is already at work in your life.

You wouldn't want more of God if the Holy Spirit wasn't first seeking you. it is the Trinity's action within that fans the small flame of desire motivation us to "Keep company" with Jesus. 

In fact, the very desire or desperation felt can be God's way of readying you to walk and work with Jesus takes heart, while transformation happens as we keep company with Jesus. 

I now know that wanting to work with Jesus is where transformation begins. 

Willpower and discipline alone can never fix ones soul. 

Striving, pushing and trying harder will not recover life. 

Unforced rhythms of grace depend on something more than self-mastery and self-defeat. 

The simply Truth is that wanting to keep company with Jesus has a staying power that "Should's" and "Ought's" seldom have. 

Jesus wants us to recognize that hidden in our desperation's and desires is an appetite for the Lord and Giver of Life. 

In fact, he says, "Your Blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. His food and drink is the best meal you'll ever eat." (Mathew 5:6 The Message)

Share reference: Spiritual Disciplines Handbook - Adele Calhoun.