Ephesians 2:10

Wisdom from a Thirteen-year-old Cancer Patient
by John Fischer

John was thirteen and in treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He loved the scriptures and could often be found reading the Bible on his own or having someone else read to him. One night when he was too weak to read, he asked his mother to take over for him where he had left off, in the second chapter of Ephesians. After about halfway through the chapter she decided to ask him what stood out so far, expecting him to come back with the often-quoted verses 8 & 9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast." But instead he replied, "That workmanship verse." or verse 10, which reads, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
His mother was surprised and asked him why he picked that verse.

"Because God has a purpose for my life."

"How do you see that in this verse?" she asked.

Without hesitation he said, "Because I'm still here. When your work for God is done, you should be happy to go home to heaven."

Think of it. At thirteen with a life-threatening illness, this kid is aware of his purpose in life. It's very simple, as he sees it, and I think he sees it right. If you're alive, there is something God has for you to do. If we are God's creative expression, and part of that expression includes good works that He has already prepared for us to do, then if we are alive, there is more to be discovered and more to be done. When we die, it's only because the work he prepared for us to do has been completed. Time to go home. Really. it's so complicated, it takes a thirteen-year-old to figure it out.

If you are alive, it's for a purpose, because God has something for you to do. And though that purpose will be expressed differently for each one of us, it will include at least five elements in common with all believers. It will include discovering God in our world, growing up in Christ, learning to serve those around us, connecting with others who believe, and with those who don't, in order to share with them the hope Christ has given us.

Are you still here? There's a reason for that; your work isn't done. And by the way, John's still here. He's 25 now. Obviously, he has work to do.

John Fischer is the Senior Writer for Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals. He resides in Southern California with his wife and son. John is also a published author and songwriter.