You Asked God to Open the Door... Now Stop Hiding Behind It!


Lately, I’ve been diving into John Maxwell’s The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth, and one line in the Law of Intentionality stopped me in my tracks: The Perfection Gap. As soon as I read it, I smiled because it hit me right where I live. Not only have I wrestled with that gap in my own journey, but I actually led a mini workshop on this exact topic for my sorority sisters about a year and a half ago.

It’s funny how God has a way of circling us back to lessons we thought we already learned. This time, He brought the reminder with a little more heat and a whole lot more clarity.

Let me be transparent with you. There have been so many times I’ve sat at my kitchen counter with my laptop open, heart full of ideas, vision clear, candle lit, background music playing, atmosphere set… and yet I still couldn’t bring myself to start. Not because I didn’t believe in the dream God gave me, but because I was waiting for it to be perfect.

Maybe you have powered up your tablet with big “this is it” energy, only to end up alphabetizing your spice rack, deep-cleaning your junk drawer, binging a show you already watched before, or wandering around social media like it was your part-time job. Please know you’re not the only one. We’ve all been there, doing everything except the thing we promised God (and ourselves) we’d finally begin.

The truth is, we’re not lazy. Often, we’re just plain scared. Scared that we’ll fall short of what God placed in our hearts. Scared we’ll mess it up. Scared that if we really step out on faith, people will see us and maybe judge what they don’t understand. But here’s what I’ve learned: perfection doesn’t protect you. It paralyzes you. It keeps you stuck in fear when God is calling you to walk through the very door you asked Him to open.

So if you’ve been praying for clarity, waiting for confirmation, or hoping the conditions will magically become ideal—this is your moment of grace. God never said to wait until everything is polished or perfectly timed. What He said was, “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, so that he may run who reads it” (Habakkuk 2:2).

That verse reminds us that clarity and obedience matter more than perfection. God didn’t tell Habakkuk to make the vision flashy, detailed, or overproduced. He told him to make it plain—and ready for action. In other words, progress over perfection.

So if you’ve been hiding behind preparation, perfectionism, or procrastination, it’s time to come out. You asked God to open the door. Now stop hiding behind it.

These 5Ps are your permission slip to move forward, right where you are, with what you already have in your hands. God will guide your steps and all you have to do is take one.

1. PUSH Past Procrastination

Procrastination is often perfection in disguise. We tell ourselves we’re just getting ready, but really, we’re putting it off.

Try setting a two-minute timer and do one small thing. Small steps lead to big movement. Don’t wait for the new week—just start walking.

 2. PLANT Yourself in Purpose

When your dream feels shaky, go back to your why.

Ask yourself:

  • What impact will this dream make?
  • Who is waiting on what God placed in me?
  • How does this reflect the assignment He’s already given?

Proverbs 16:4 says the Lord made everything with purpose. That includes you. When you’re rooted in purpose, fear doesn’t get the final say.

3. PLAN with Peace, Not Pressure

You don’t need a full website or a 12-week launch strategy to start moving. Habakkuk 2:2 tells us to write the vision and make it plain. Not perfect. Plain.

Jot down three action steps for this week. Block off 15 minutes a day. Use the tools you have. God honors clarity, not complexity.

 4. PROTECT What Matters Most

Your calling deserves calendar space. If it’s important to you and assigned by God, it should show up in your daily rhythm.

Set boundaries around your dream time. Say no when you need to. Treat your vision like the divine appointment it is. Matthew 6:33 says to seek first the Kingdom and that includes your Kingdom assignment.

 5. POSITION Yourself for Progress

Where you are matters. Who you’re with matters. What you’re consuming matters.

Some environments will water your dream. Others will drain it. Surround yourself with people and spaces that stir up your gifts, stretch your faith, and hold you accountable to your calling. Sometimes God has to reposition you before He releases the next level. 


Which of the 5Ps are you stuck in right now?

·       What small, intentional step can you take today?

·       Who can you invite to support or pray with you as you move forward?

 

You’ve prayed and prepared. Now it’s time to take the next step.

You asked God to open the door. Now be bold enough to walk through it.

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