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The World is Crying Out

On the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.  I was laying in bed trying to sleep but sleep did not come!  This is not an often occurrence for me, I typically konk out within a few minutes and sleep the night through without a problem.  This night was different, I actually was excited for the thoughts that swarmed my mind and kept me fully awake while laying in the darkness.  I was filled with ideas for my post graduation adventures and I could not silence the voice of calling.  This calling reminds me that life is not ment to be lived in the mold of expectations and confines of structure.  We live on this planet to live an adventure with our creator God who has redeemed and restored us through the loving sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ.  I may have lost some folks whenever I start diving into my beliefs but please track with my thought because it has shaped my life and is extraordinarily important to me.  This adventure of bringing life not death, peace not war, and hope not despair is the reason I am living and I would not have it any other way!  I have been called to take what is broken and restore it back to its original function and purpose.  One place in my life that has truly awoken this calling is with my old Volvo because Lord knows it should have been parted out and crushed twenty years ago.  But for some reason it has survived to this day so that I can learn to take what is regarded as useless and bring purpose and meaning.   I have seen five thousand miles and counting from the drivers seat and all of those miles have come after my wrench brought the machine back to life.  I know that this car has shown me simple a glimpse into the purpose of my love for restoration.  It shows me that I have a part in the Gospel of good news for all mankind.  That we live in a world that is broken by the choices of all humans and that God cared enough to restore us to fullness.  That Jesus came into this world as I am about to celebrate tomorrow morning to bring life and peace to all who are willing to listen to his voice and follow his calling.  This calling is different for each person on the face of this planet but his voice rings out loud and clear across the nations.  He speaks of peace and love and desires each of us to respond and live out our purpose to bring Love to all of the aspects of this world crying out for restoration.  I am excited that he has revealed this aspect of his purpose for my life to me this evening and I can not wait for him to bring more peace and joy as I follow his voice.

Speak softly Father because I want to listen to you alone!
Paul Shackelford

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