Who said you had to be perfect? Perfection was never the requirement, only faith. We can start and stop projects because we want it to be perfect from the beginning. We want everyone to have a positive reaction to what we start. When we do start, we may not continue things to completion because we allow doubt to sabotage our beginnings. We also may not want to continue because we believe it’s not good enough or perfect. Lies.

Perfection doesn’t exist outside of God. Only He is perfect in everything. We need to be obedient, for the outcome belongs to God. I often wonder about the effects that our surrounding culture has on our minds. Could we be conditioning ourselves to desire and entertain perfection? Our culture says we should have perfect skin, hair, teeth, and outward behavior. If not culture, religion and legalism promote this behavior and mindset. Although we are called to have a spirit of excellence and produce our best, let’s do so purely out of love and obedience. Even if it’s just a starting point, isn’t it better to start, keep pushing, and make improvements than never try and always wonder what could have been? Wonder what God could have done with our humble beginnings.

We are graced to step forward, and we are graced to keep going, as we yield to God. We do not and can not start in our strength! God has been reminding me lately that each person’s gift is an opportunity for being edified. Enjoy your brother’s and sister’s gifts with humility. Cultivate a heart of developing interests outside of your own. ( I’m growing in that)

This reminds me of the scripture that says, Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:2‭-‬4 ESV

I remember when starting this blog was just a thought for two years until several people encouraged me to start! People believed that I should share the conversations I have with God. My processing of emotions, thoughts, dreams, and more were called out to be displayed. When I finally submitted, God blessed me with an opportunity to start. Can I encourage you to start (in His timing, of course)! There’s a gift inside of you boiling, and the Holy Spirit is turning up the heat to where your response is to pour out what is in you. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14 ESV  Come out of hiding your safe with Him. I didn’t start to present perfection. I came to grow and welcome correction along the way.

Start your blog, start your career, start your journals, start your support group, start your non-profit. A start could mean pray first but start. Don’t let feelings of wanting to be perfect keep you from starting. I don’t know about you, but if only God reads my blogs, then I still have the best audience! 

I am calling you out. Just start! Start what God had been encouraging you to start. You are good enough, lacking nothing in Christ. If God gives the green light, don’t just linger at the light. Go! Start!!

I hope you find these words uplifting.

More to come, so share, comment, and subscribe as I challenge my shy ways… Now let’s gist!