4. It’s dead.
Several years ago, I had an idea to create a web-based software that would lead people through a series of Bible studies online. There are several of these platforms out there today, but back then, there was nothing like it. I pitched the idea to my church board and they were excited about it. I then pitched the idea to my employers to see if they wanted to join in on this endeavor. They didn’t see the value in the idea and initially said no. I was okay with that and was planning to move forward, but someone caught wind of the idea and wanted to help fund the project. I was super stoked and thought this was God’s way of affirming my idea.
This somewhat small idea turned into a massive project overnight. I spent several months planning, designing, and working with developers to turn this dream into a reality. Finally, when it was ready to be deployed for beta testing, I found that pastors and churches weren’t really interested. I loved the idea of it at first, but when it came down to actually using the software, they didn’t want to add one more thing to their list of to-dos.
My developer was diagnosed with cancer and had to start chemotherapy which hindered his mental ability to code. I couldn’t fix the bugs or continue development, and the project halted. I tried to find others who could help, but I was unsuccessful.
Fast forward three years, I receive a phone call asking if they can pull the plug on the software. At first, I was hurt and angry. I had spent so much time and energy on this project, all I could think was how big of a failure I was. I wanted to tell them that I wanted to keep it going, that I was still using it, but I had to come to the realization that this dream is dead and it was time to quit and move on.
I share this story for two reasons. First, it’s recent and I needed to process it. Second, I believe there are many dead things we hang on to that we need to let go of.
1. The Past - It can’t be changed, stop living in it.
2. Grudges - Holding on to grudges won’t change what was done to us. Let them die. (The grudge, not the person.)
3. Some dreams - I know this is a tough one, and I’m not saying we should give up on all of our dreams, but some of them are dead and we just need to bury them. If we keep trying to resurrect a dead dream, you’ll spend way too much time and energy that you could be placed elsewhere. So ask yourself, is this dream dead? Be honest with yourself, and if it is dead, it’s time to quit.
4. Relationships - This is another tough one to address, but if we don’t, we could spend a lot of energy trying to keep a relationship alive when it just isn’t gonna happen. If your boyfriend has broken up with you but still wants to text you after he gets home from his new girl, quit. If your friend is only a friend when they need something from you, and if you give it to them or not, they disappear until they need something again, quit. If your ex has moved on, quit. You don’t need to waste your time or energy on a relationship that is dead.
Coming to the realization that your dream is dead can hurt and cause all kinds of feelings, but when you can move forward and let those dead things go, you’ll be able to bring new life into something else. A new dream, a new relationship, a new friendship. If it’s dead, quit and move on.