Today is the end of this project.
I honestly can’t believe so many of you have read these pieces. I also can’t believe that I actually did what I said I would do. The temptation to skip a day was intense. There were many moments I tried to justify not writing. But I kept going, and you kept reading. No words capture how grateful I am for you, reader.
Looking at the 40-day list as a whole, it’s obvious that we’re not really talking about 40 different things. It’s mostly just one thing: fear. Fear of failure, fear of being alone, fear of looking stupid. This fear manifests as rage or a need to control. It could present as resentment or mistrust, or self-medication. But it’s all fear underneath.
I’m not praying for a life free of fear. I’m praying for a life lived regardless. A healthy dose of fear keeps us from doing dumb things. God has designed our bodies to warn us of impending dangers. It’s complex and beautiful. We must stay committed to not allowing fear to diminish our potential. We must remain vigilant to keep the enemy at bay—the enemy wins when we dull our shine. Our success, fulfilling our wildest dream, is a big, fat trophy on God’s shelf. He doesn’t want a participation ribbon. He wants a blue ribbon or a gold medal. Your fear is keeping you trapped. It’s keeping you off the podium.
What are your craziest dreams? Now, think about that dream. You want to write a book? Make it a best-seller that changes the world. You want to start a business doing what you love? Scale it even bigger. You want to run a half-marathon? Make it a full one. Somewhere in your heart, you’re settling. Please stop it.
You can’t know the limits of what’s possible until you push them. You will do this even though you’re scared. I know you can. I know you will. Today is Palm Sunday, the day of the triumphal entry. Jesus knew what was coming. He knew that this would be a painful week. And still, he got on that humble donkey, and the parade commenced because he set the tone. This is how we become more like Jesus. We know that dark days are coming, and the path will never be completely smooth. We choose to enjoy that parade, to celebrate ahead of the miracle. We bring the energy we want to see in the world.
Nothing is left to say that hasn’t been said, for now. I don’t know what will become of this project. I’m praying on it this week between Palm Sunday and Easter. Maybe it will be a weekly devotional newsletter. Perhaps it will end up being a best-selling Broadway musical. Who knows? What I do know is that up until I started this 40-day challenge, I was dreaming small. I assumed I wouldn’t finish. I had already come to terms with failure and hadn’t even failed yet.
Instead, let us be the people who assume success before we even see the prize. Because, as I’ve said on other days, haven’t we already won? We won the moment we surrendered our pride and gave up control. When we raised our hand or got dunked in that water and said, “Jesus is my savior,” that is the day our dreams broke barriers. There is nothing you can not do. This isn’t the same as getting every little thing you want. If you dream a big dream, and it is God’s will, it’s happening. Our God is a God of promises, and we are a people who believe that. Those promises might be delivered when we are long gone, but the plan is in motion. It’s been in motion since far before your years on earth and will outlast you. God’s plan is generations in the making. He aims high, and so should we.
So, thank you again. If you’re reading this, you were intentionally chosen to participate in this experiment. You have fed me with every click and every read. It’s scary to open up your life and your heart and not know what people will do with it. But you have reminded me that people are good. People are lovely and kind. I will take that support into the next season, whatever may come.
Resurrection is on the horizon in more ways than one.
Signing off for now. With all my love,
Sarah