Rich Novek - His Perfect Plan

Referring to the parable of the Prodigal Son, this amazing story from start to finish had to be the Fathers perfect plan all along. Especially when we see how this story of (seeming) tragedy, loss, and deprivation really ends up being about revelation, redemption, and restoration!

It sure couldn't have been the devil sending him out on this wild journey, could it?

I just can't see the devil devising a plan which amounts to a young and arrogant, self absorbed, and spiritually clueless spoiled brat...to finally grow up IN the Grace and wisdom of God, anymore than I can see the same devil working independently of God to deal with the hearts of the likes of David, Job, or Paul!

And guess what folks? That list of names still continues today, and has according to His plan traveled all the way through history to where it NOW includes both you and me!

So has your own checkered history of brokenness, loss, and deprivation come by the hand of a cruel, distant, and impersonal child abuser?

OR...

Has EVERYTHING we have experienced on this chaotic journey been about something BIGGER He is NOW doing IN us, so that we can KNOW Him IN the same way as we are known by Him?

But whatever were gains to me I NOW CONSIDER LOSS for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider EVERYTHING AS LOSS because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I HAVE LOST ALL THINGS. I consider them garbage, THAT I MAY GAIN CHRIST and be found IN Him not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through Faith IN Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of (His) Faith IN me). I want to know Christ—yes, to know the POWER of His resurrection and participation (fellowship) IN His sufferings, becoming like Him IN His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:7-11

I can't see any entity of darkness working IN and through His body this way, especially independent of the God of ALL Grace, can you? After all, as the one who's one and only goal is to see us completely destroyed, wouldn't that actually be counter productive to his very character and nature?

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and NOT TO HARM YOU, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

So looking at our lives, as chaotic as they may look today, they are in fact exactly like the lives of David, Job, Paul, or the younger son; the perfectly designed and orchestrated hidden workings of Christ IN us and as us!

So IN knowing the One is the Truth, we can NOW RELEASE what we are holding on to, REST IN His unconditional Love, and RECEIVE the next thing, good or bad, and whatever that may