You are Worth It: Not After, But Right Now

Tracy Astle
Jun 17
4 min read

We live in a world obsessed with the after.

After you lose the weight.After you get your act together.

After you’re kinder to your family, less distracted, more put-together, more consistent in your prayer life, more... holy. Just more.

Then, maybe then, you’ll feel worthy.

Worthy of love.

Worthy of rest.

Worthy of calling.

Worthy of God's delight.

But what if we’ve got it all backwards?

What if God doesn’t wait to delight in you?

What if He’s already doing it—right now, in your current state of undone-ness?

Gideon: The Reluctant Hero

Recently, I wrote about Gideon—the man hiding in a winepress when God called him a “mighty warrior.”

Hold up. Let’s pause right there. Gideon wasn’t flexing his spiritual muscles or courage when the angel showed up?

Nope.

He was hiding. Scared. Disillusioned.

And yet, the very first thing God says is, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” (Judges 6:12)

What’s so striking about this is that God didn't wait for Gideon to become more faithful, brave, or battle-tested.

He knew Gideon as he could be.

He called Gideon as he was.

And Gideon... still wasn’t sure.

He asked for signs—not once, but multiple times . First, he wanted confirmation that the angel really spoke for God. Then he asked for a fleece to be wet while the ground stayed dry. Then he asked for the fleece to be dry while the ground stayed wet.

(If you’ve ever said, “Lord, just give me a sign,” you’re in good company.)

And yet, despite Gideon’s doubts and hesitation, God still moved powerfully through him. Not because Gideon was perfect—but because God is faithful.

God's Delight Is Now, Not Later

Just like with Gideon, God’s delight in you isn’t on layaway. It’s not sitting in heaven behind a counter, waiting for you to hit your goal weight, pray for 21 days straight, or finally feel like you're enough.

He delights in you now.

Yes, you—with the messy kitchen and the unresolved anxiety.

Yes, you—whose faith sometimes feels more like hope tinged with doubt.

Yes, you—who maybe read your Bible once this week, if at all, and still can’t figure out why you keep getting so frustrated with your kids.

Listen to these words:

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”(Zephaniah 3:17)

God rejoices over you with singing.

Not future-you.

Not cleaned up you.

Present-you.

Our Need for Signs Doesn’t Cancel His Love

Too often, we assume our need for reassurance is a weakness to be ashamed of. But Gideon’s story reminds us that God works with us in our doubts. He doesn’t disqualify us for being unsure.

He meets us where we are.

In fact, it was after Gideon asked for signs that God pared down his army from 32,000 to just 300—making it clear the coming victory would be by God’s hand, not Gideon’s strength.

Sometimes we think God will only use us once we’ve proven ourselves worthy.

But what if it’s precisely in our uncertainty that His glory shines brightest?

What if your small, faltering steps of trust are more beautiful to Him than all the polished performances you think He wants?

You Are Not a Problem to Fix

You are not a project God is tolerating until He can finally enjoy the “finished product.” You are His child. His beloved. His delight.

Just like a parent doesn’t only delight in their toddler once they’re potty-trained, God doesn’t wait to love you until you’ve got everything under control.

And when we stop trying to earn His delight and start resting in it—we finally find the freedom to grow.

Not from pressure or shame, but from love.

Gideon’s Legacy—and Ours

Gideon didn’t become a mighty warrior because he finally believed in himself.He became a mighty warrior because he trusted the One who believed in him first.

God said, “Go in the strength you have.” (Judges 6:14)

Not the strength you’ll have later.

And friend, He’s saying the same to you.

Go—write the email, show up for the hard conversation, take the next brave step in your health, your calling, your relationships—

in the strength you have.

You don’t have to wait until you feel like enough. Because God already says you are.

Let’s Remember Together

If you’ve been waiting to feel “worthy” before you show up fully in your life, I invite you to pause. Breathe. And let this truth settle deep:

God delights in you—right now.

Even if you need to ask Him for a fleece or two.Even if your hands are shaking as you obey.

He’s not waiting for the polished version of you. He’s singing over you today.

If this message resonates with you and you’d like to talk more about what it means to live from God’s delight (instead of chasing it), watch for my upcoming masterclass on this topic, reply to this email, or let’s connect for a call.

You don’t have to figure it out alone. 💛

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If you’d like to learn more about this topic, click HERE to book a session with me, or follow me on Facebook @Nourishing Body & Soul or on Instagram @tlastle.nourishingbodyandsoul