I have two kids, and they are both so different. My son is your typical boy who doesn’t know what to do with all that energy inside his tiny body. My daughter is the calm one who loves reading a book or playing the piano.

Even as babies, when we would get them a new toy, my son would beat it, bite it, bang it, and figure it out with full enthusiasm and zero hesitation. Meanwhile, my daughter would carefully analyze it with her eyes and inspect it with her hands, but would wait for us to show her what to do with the toy before she would actually play with it. Almost like she was waiting for permission.

I used to think it was just her temperament — thoughtful, cautious. But the older I get, the more I realize: she got that from me.

She inherited that quiet perfectionism and fear of failure from her mama.

This has been a struggle most of my life, and something I have to intentionally fight, even now.

Often, when God gives me a gift — a calling, a nudge, an opportunity — my first response isn’t to take it fully and explore it. I want to obey, but I hesitate. I circle around it with prayers for clarity and confirmations. Not because I’m holy, but because I’m scared. Scared to mess it up. Scared I’ll do it wrong. The fear of failure disguised as waiting on God.

Waiting for someone to come open the door for me or walk in with me. Waiting on God to make it easy and clear.

But here’s what I’m learning: God doesn’t hand us gifts with strings attached. He hands them with trust. He trusts us with good gifts without expecting perfection.

Throughout Scripture, we see the same pattern: God doesn’t wait for people to be ready.

Moses was a runaway with blood on his hands, but with faith, he raised his staff and watched God part the sea. David was a young shepherd, but with faith, he slayed the giant. Peter was a fisherman, but with faith, he walked on water.

But don’t forget, they all messed up, too.
Moses struck the rock in frustration.
David abused his power.
Peter denied Jesus three times.

The heroes of our faith didn’t get it all right either. God knew they wouldn’t, but He chose them and gave them the gift anyway.

If perfection is the goal, we will always live in fear. Thank God, He just wants us to be faithful.

He is more concerned about our hearts than the gift. He is not going to get mad if we make a mess. Friend, we are not powerful enough to mess up God’s plans. So be wise, but don’t use prudence as an excuse.

What gift is God giving you? What call has He placed on you?

Is it starting a podcast? Writing a book? Joining the worship team? Opening a business?

You don’t have to figure it all out before you say yes.
You don’t have to be the best to begin.
You just have to open the gift in faith.

Over the years, my daughter has received enough gifts from her parents that she is no longer cautious or waits for permission to play. Because she knows us. She knows that we love her, so she can trust us with the gifts that we give her.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…”
James 1:17 ESV

The gift is good because it is from our Good Father.

I wonder what it would be like to see our Heavenly Father watching us unwrap the gifts He’s placed in our lives. I don’t think He’s standing with judgment, as we unwrap them. He’s not impatient when we fumble, nor does He yank the gift away when we don’t get it right the first time.

No, I believe He watches like a proud Father — delighting in our joy, our awe, and wonder. He smiles when we take that first uncertain step of faith.

He gave us the gift not because we’d handle it perfectly, but because He loves us deeply.

You don’t need to wait for permission. You don’t have to wait for perfect circumstances. If God was ready to give it to you, He knows you are ready for it. The gift is yours — open it.

 

Listen to Simi’s devotion here or on the (in)courage podcast wherever you stream!

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