Imagine being lost in the woods at night. You thought you’d make it home, but you’ve wandered off track. It’s cold, dark and you’re alone. You begin to lose hope.
Then, across the valley, you catch sight of a flicker. A searchlight moves through the trees. Then another. One by one, beams of light cut through the darkness, moving towards you. Your heart lifts. A search party is coming. You’re not alone after all.
My hope and prayer is that 40acts has felt a little like this for the recipients of our generosity. Across the country, small and simple acts have lit up the darkness. Moments of kindness have surprised people with hope, whether in the middle of real hardship or just the weariness of everyday life.
Thank you for taking part. Forty days is no small thing. Whether you joined in occasionally or embraced all 40 of the challenges, you have been part of something beautiful. You have been light.
The one true light
In the forest picture, torches need batteries. Someone must provide the power or there will be no light at all.
The message of Easter tells us that we do not generate light ourselves. We do not earn it or store it up. Instead, we receive it.
Jesus went to the garden, the cross and the tomb to redeem and renew us. The empty tomb stands as a quiet, powerful declaration that forgiveness is complete. Light has replaced the darkness.
Any light we shine is simply a reflection of His.
Generosity: a lifestyle, not an occasion
As we celebrate the end of 40acts, I’d like to offer you a gentle invitation to keep going. Not to strive harder, but to let generosity become part of everyday life. To keep on reflecting.
Jesus puts it simply:
‘In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.’ (Matthew 5:16)
In nearby verses, Jesus implies that it’s unthinkable that someone can own a light and not be shining it for others to see.
So how can 40acts be just the beginning for you?
- If you named five people on day 1, how might you continue to support and care for them?
- If you gave financially, could that become something regular, bringing stability and encouragement to the charities and individuals that you care about most?
- If you involved family or your church, what would it look like to make this a shared rhythm, not a one-off?
There is no pressure here, only possibility. Generosity does not keep score. It grows, often quietly, as we keep responding to the generosity we have first received.
So as we celebrate completing 40acts this weekend, we celebrate not just what has been done but the one who makes it all possible.
The light of the world has come into our darkness and his light still shines.
The 40acts team at Stewardship
Reflect
‘In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.’
Matthew 5:16
Pray
- Pray that your story of generosity would inspire others to live generously too.
- Ask God to help you carry what you’ve learned through 40acts into the rest of the year.
- Thank Him for every act, gift, and moment that has shared His love over these 40 days.
Act
A generosity challenge for you to complete today:
| Take a generosity selfie – a photo of something that represents generosity or your 40acts journey. Share it with #40acts as a celebration and join thousands of others marking the end of the challenge together. Then ask yourself: how will you keep living generously beyond Lent? The end of 40 days is just the beginning. |
About Stewardship
Stewardship helps Christians be the best stewards of the resources God gives them.
We have been working with generous Christians and the ministries they support for over a century. Today, we help over 30,000 donors discover the joy of generosity as they give around £110 million every year to over 12,000 churches, charities and Christian workers. Our professional services also equip, grow and strengthen those ministries so they can create increasing impact for God’s Kingdom.
