You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Begin

I’ve come to realize something lately that I didn’t want to admit.

Being a perfectionist has held me back more than I ever thought. Not just in everyday life, but in my calling, my business, my blog, my podcast, and even things I know deep in my soul that God told me to do.

I always felt like I had to master the thing before I could do it. Like God couldn’t possibly be asking me to move forward until I had every detail figured out. I’d sit on ideas, delay launches, and keep reworking things over and over again because they just weren’t “ready.” But the truth is that I was scared. I didn’t feel qualified. And perfectionism became my excuse.

I convinced myself it was wisdom. That I was just trying to “honor God” by doing it right. But looking back… it was fear. Fear of failing. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of judgment. And it’s exhausting trying to get everything just right before you move. I got stuck in that cycle more times than I can count.

And here’s the worst part: I called it preparation, but really, it was disobedience. God never asked me to be perfect. He asked me to trust Him. He asked me to go.

Ecclesiastes 11:4 says, “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.”

That’s exactly what I was doing, waiting for perfect conditions before I obeyed. Waiting until I had the right words, the perfect design, the best timing. But in doing that, I was missing the blessing that comes from just stepping out in faith.

God doesn’t need my perfection. He needs my yes.

I can’t tell you how many blog posts I left sitting in drafts because I felt they weren’t written well enough. How I have delayed starting my podcast because I hate my voice and also didn’t feel like I had anything to say that people wanted to hear. How many business ideas I’ve shelved because I thought I needed more training or experience first. And all the while, God was like, “I already gave you the idea. That was your green light.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” It’s not about how strong or polished I am, it’s about Him showing up through me when I feel the weakest.

And let’s not forget who God used in the Bible.

Moses straight up told God he wasn’t good at speaking and begged Him to send someone else. He literally said, “Please send someone else” (Exodus 4:13). But God still chose him to lead His people. Not because Moses was perfect. Not because he had it all together. But because he was called.

Then there’s Gideon, who was hiding in a winepress when the angel of the Lord called him a “mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12). Gideon didn’t feel mighty at all. He questioned God, doubted himself, and needed sign after sign. But God still used him to defeat an entire army.

Jeremiah told God he was too young and didn’t know how to speak (Jeremiah 1:6-7). God’s response? “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.”

Even Peter, the guy who denied Jesus three times, was the one Jesus chose to build His church on. That’s not perfection. That’s redemption. That’s grace. That’s God.

So if you’ve been thinking, “I’m not good enough,” you’re in good company. The Bible is full of people who didn’t feel ready, didn’t feel qualified, didn’t feel strong and God used them anyway. Why? Because it was never about them. And it’s not about you either. It’s about God. He just wants your yes.

Perfectionism is sneaky. It’ll dress up like wisdom and whisper, “You’re just being careful. You’re being a good steward. You’re honoring God by waiting until it’s better.” But really? It’s fear in disguise. Fear of messing up. Fear of being judged. Fear of not being enough.

And that fear will keep you stuck. It’ll keep you from moving. From growing. From stepping into the very thing God has already equipped you for.

But here’s what I’m learning, obedience doesn’t mean I have to have it all figured out. It just means I’m willing to say yes and let God handle the rest.

So if you’ve been holding off on something because you don’t feel ready or polished or perfect enough, I want to tell you what I’m also telling myself… go anyway. Do it anyway. Even if your voice shakes. Even if your heart races. Even if it feels a little messy.

Send the email. Publish the post. Record the episode. Open the shop. Share the message. Take the first step.

God’s not waiting for perfection. He’s just waiting for your yes. And that yes? That’s more than enough.

Lord, I’ve spent so much time trying to be perfect before I say yes. But I don’t want to keep holding back anymore. Help me see where fear is disguising itself as wisdom. Remind me that You don’t need my perfection, You just want my trust. Give me the courage to move even when I don’t feel ready. Use my yes, even if it’s messy.

In Jesus’ name, amen.