Real purpose

"Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began,
"I will open up your
heart..."

"You will find Jesus there,"
the boy interrupted...

The surgeon looked up. Annoyed. 

"I will cut your heart open," he continued,
“to see how much damage has been done..."

"But when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in
there," said the boy.

The surgeon looked to the parents, who
sat quietly. 

"When I see how much
damage has been done, I will sew your
heart and chest back up, and I will plan
what to do next."

"But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The
Bible says He lives there. The hymns all say He lives
there. You'll find Him in my heart."

The surgeon had had enough. "I will
tell you what I will find in your
heart. I will find damaged muscle, low
blood supply, and weakened vessels.
And I will find out if I can make you well."

"You will find Jesus there too. He lives there."

The surgeon left.

Later the surgeon sat in his office,
recording his notes from the surgery,
"....damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary
vein, widespread muscle degeneration.
No hope for transplant, no hope for cure.
Therapy:
Painkillers and bed rest.
Prognosis:”

Here he paused. 

“Death within one year."

He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said. 

"Why?" he asked aloud.
"Why did You do this? You have put him here; 

You've put him in this pain;
and You've cursed him to an early death.
Why?"

The Lord answered and said, "The boy,
my lamb, was not meant for your
flock for long, for he is a part of My
flock, and will forever be.
Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, 

and will be comforted as you cannot imagine. 

His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace. 

My flock will continue to grow.."

The surgeon's tears were hot, but his
anger was hotter. "You created
that boy, and You created that heart.
He will be dead in months. Why?"

The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb,
shall return to My flock, for He has
done his duty.I did not put My lamb
with your flock to lose him, 

but to retrieve another lost lamb."

The surgeon wept... 

The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed; 

the boy's parents sat across from him. 

The boy awoke and whispered, 

"Did you cut open my heart?"

"Yes," said the surgeon.
"What did you find?" asked the boy.

"I found Jesus there," said the surgeon.

Author
Unknown - Celebrate Jesus in 2012