Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday – with people cheering and celebrating their own ideas of the coming Messiah. The whole picture of “your King coming to you on a donkey’s colt” is a symbol of humility and gentleness – the virtues of our LORD’s heart toward HIS people – the qualities our Bridegroom is looking for in HIS bride. I admit that I have been blinded for most of my life by my own ideas of what GOD’s blessings in this life will look like – relationships, jobs and career positions, the ministry, my health … just like the people in the crowds on Palm Sunday, I have cheered and celebrated my own agendas based on assumptions.

There were some Greeks in the crowds of people that day, and they told Philip they wanted to meet JESUS. John 12:22-28 – “Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask JESUS. JESUS replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into HIS glory. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels – a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to serve ME must follow ME, because MY servants must be where I AM. And the Father will honor anyone who serves ME.

“Now MY soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save ME from this hour?’ But this is the very reason I came! Father bring glory to YOUR Name.”

This passage reveals so much to us. People were excited about how they thought JESUS was going to come and rescue them. They wanted to get nearer to HIM. Even foreigners (whom JESUS had made clear that HE loved and wanted to build bridges with) were coming and wanting to join HIS ministry. This looked like the height of HIS career here on earth! And JESUS discloses the truth – that HE came to introduce us to another realm through abandoned Love. An unconditional Love that is willing to die for us. A Love that will yield and surrender to the evil thoughts and ways of this broken world. Those who catch on to this truth will no longer hold tightly to their own ideas of what their life should look like in this realm. They run with JESUS’ vision and lay it all down for the real realm we were made for.

And this is how we find a greater peace and joy than we could ever imagine. It doesn’t make much sense to us – that actually laying down our dreams and our goals could possibly bring us the satisfaction and fulfillment we are longing for, because our human nature believes that “if i could just make one more sale and reach that next level of promotion” – “if i could just find a mate” – “if i could just find a way to be stronger” – “if I could just _________”. Fill in the blank for yourself. It’s scary to let go of that dream and let GOD write the story of your life. How could this be the way to lasting peace and joy?

We won’t know the supernatural satisfaction and fulfillment HE made available unless we begin to practice what JESUS demonstrated. Some of our bigger dreams and goals might feel like “untouchables” – they are not negotiable in our hearts and minds – we think we have to have them or we won’t be happy. So start with the small things. Your plans for meals for the week, or your plans for your day – let the LORD reroute you and find joy in it!

My husband often makes plans for how he will navigate traffic and get around town. He has practiced being very open to taking a turn that he wasn’t originally planning just because it felt like the right thing to do. Every time he follows this unction, he is rewarded with an unexpected encounter of some kind – an opportunity to “show up” in an unexpected way and bless someone else. That joy is so satisfying!

On a larger scale – a newer acquaintance whom I would call a friend was challenged last year to quit his successful job and sell his home and vehicle and voluntarily become homeless. (Not something we should try without knowing it is GOD leading us that way!) My friend has been honest about the difficulties of laying down his life – this life. But it cannot be compared to the peace and joy of the daily provision that has come to him. Not only provision in this realm, but a direct line to heaven’s realm downloading revelations so beautiful that it completely eclipses the worldly joy of having a job and a home.

Whether we practice faith in small ways (turns in traffic) or large ways (giving up our homes), the glory that we bring to The Father by making HIS dream come true brings us immeasurable peace and joy.

We want this immeasurable peace and joy for you. Think of it – not a peace or joy that is measured out for today and runs out by 3:00 in the afternoon – – IMMEASURABLE !! Can anyone measure the number of drops in the oceans on this planet? That’s the kind of peace and joy offered to you. Rest in JESUS’ work by letting go of the things that stress you and let GOD do a greater work. Trade your own dreams for HIS dreams and see what it’s like to walk in supernatural joy and peace!