Zanele's Faith Journeys

Life is a faith journey. Walk boldly.💜

Finally Brave Enough

I uploaded my first two videos to YouTube recently.

The first one—a walk-and-talk—I created and shared within 24 hours. Quick. Brave. Done.

But the second one? I actually created that one two months ago.

I didn’t feel pretty. My setup is basic. My content isn’t flashy or perfectly edited like the creators I admire. So, I uploaded it to YouTube… and then kept it hidden in private mode. I never intended to share it publicly. It just sat there, unseen, while fear whispered all the reasons why I shouldn’t let anyone watch it.

And then one day, I thought… why not?

So I made it public. Raw. Unedited. As is.

That’s what ‘finally brave’ looks like—not perfect timing, just “why not?”

You can also watch this on my YouTube channel – don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more encouragement!

I’d been waiting for ‘Perfect Tami’ to show up for an entire year before that first video. A year of “I’m not ready yet.” A year of “Maybe when I figure out better lighting.” A year of “What if no one watches?” A year of waiting for a version of myself who has it all figured out, looks camera-ready, and knows exactly what she’s doing.

But I finally realized: ‘Perfect Tami’ doesn’t exist, and she never will.

And God doesn’t need her anyway.

The Comparison Trap

You know, there is so much fun, creative, and polished content out there. And mine? It’s pretty basic. The comparison thing is a big problem for me.

I scroll through Instagram and see women with professional setups, flawless makeup, thousands of engaged followers. I watch YouTube videos with perfect lighting, seamless editing, and confident delivery. And I think, “Who am I to add my voice to this space? I’m not nearly good enough.”

I’m learning as I go. Most times, I don’t know what I’m doing. I haven’t figured out Pinterest, and SEO optimization? It’s still a mystery. I don’t post on social media as consistently as I should. I put too much pressure on myself and don’t give myself enough grace.

I’m a one-woman show, figuring it out one blog post, one video, one unsure step at a time.

And you know what? I know that’s exactly who God can use.

The Truth About Showing Up

Here’s something I need you to know: This is blog post #38. Thirty-eight out of thirty-nine weeks of showing up every Wednesday at 5 AM. Thirty-eight weeks of pouring my heart into words, stories, and encouragement.

Zanele’s Faith Journeys has 93 followers on Instagram, 22 on Facebook, 17 on Threads. Over 130 people across platforms who chose to follow along. Honestly, it was more than I thought, and that’s great. But my blog? Zero subscribers. No one engages on these blog posts. My social media posts sit there quietly, unnoticed. The metrics say this isn’t “working.”

But I’m still here.

Not because I’m seeing results. Not because the numbers validate the effort. Not because it’s easy or feels successful.

I’m still here because I think God called me to do this, and I’m trusting Him with the outcome.

That’s what faith looks like in real life. It’s not always mountain-moving moments and miraculous breakthroughs. Sometimes faith looks like week 38 with over 130 followers and zero blog subscribers, still creating blog content, still typing, still believing, and still obedient.

The Silence We Don’t Talk About

Sometimes I wonder why most of my followers never engage. They don’t even like a post. I mean, there’s got to be a post that they found interesting or insightful, right? I’m not upset about it, but I am human. It’s hard for me not do wonder why.

Because sometimes it’s not even about needing what was posted. Sometimes a like is just… “I see you. I appreciate this. Thank you for sharing.”

It’s an acknowledgment. It’s a tiny act of kindness that says “Hey, this mattered to me” or even just “I was here and I read this.”

When you pour your heart into something—write vulnerably, share courageously, show up consistently—and there’s just silence? That silence can feel a bit lonely. Even when you’re doing it for the right reasons.

It’s not about needing validation. It’s about basic human connection. A simple “I see you” goes a long way.

And I know I’m not alone in this. I’m sure some other women creating content feel this exact same way. They’re posting their hearts, showing up consistently, being brave… and crickets. And they wonder, “Am I invisible? Does any of this matter?”

So here’s my challenge to you: If someone’s content speaks to you today, let them know. A like. A comment. A share. Something.

Because the person on the other side? They’re showing up scared, and your acknowledgment might be the fuel they need to keep going. Be kind enough to help another woman along the way. Sometimes that help is just letting her know you see her.

What We’re Really Waiting For

I think we tell ourselves we’re waiting for perfection, but what we’re really waiting for is proof. Proof that we’re good enough. Proof that people will care. Proof that our effort will matter.

We’re waiting for:

• The right number of followers first
• Better equipment
• More knowledge
• Confidence we don’t have yet
• A version of ourselves that has it “together”

But here’s a truth that so amazing to me: Noah built the ark BEFORE the rain came. Abraham left his home BEFORE he saw the promised land. And you have to start BEFORE the people come.

You have to obey BEFORE you see results. You have to plant seeds BEFORE the harvest (you may not even see the harvest). And trust God through it all.

God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips those He called.(Exodus 4:10-12)

The Pressure We Put On Ourselves

Some women, especially those of us over 50, often feel like we have to apologize for existing exactly as we are.

We apologize when we post a video without makeup. We apologize for messy hair, wrinkles showing, not having a perfect setup. We apologize for being “basic” or not tech-savvy or still learning.

We act like we need permission to take up space in this world unless we look perfect, sound perfect, and have everything figured out.

But sis, you don’t need permission. You just need courage.

And courage doesn’t mean you’re not scared. Courage means you’re scared and doing it anyway.

The Weight I’m Carrying

I’m not okay right now.

I’ve shared in a few of previous blogs that I’m in a hard season. I’m navigating real-life struggles—grief, unemployment, challenges in my marriage, and the weight of life that sometimes feels really heavy. I’m postmenopausal, and that transition has been harder than I expected. I’m scared about having regrets later in my life (this really bothers me). I’m carrying stress that weighs me down like a heavy coat I can’t take off.

And yet, I still uploaded those videos.

Not because I have it all together. Not because I feel strong, confident or ready.

But because sometimes showing up means just getting out of bed. Sometimes “walking boldly” looks like crawling through grief and uncertainty. And you can still encourage others even when you’re not quite okay yourself.

Having faith isn’t about having it all together. Faith is about holding on when everything else seems to be falling apart.

What God Sees

God doesn’t measure our impact by perfection, polish, or popularity.

He measures it by obedience and a willing heart. He measures our impact by the courage we have in showing up scared and doing it anyway.

And can I tell you something important? Even in my faith walk, I’m not the “perfect” Christian. None of us who walk with Jesus is or ever will be a perfect Christian.

I’ve been following Jesus for 33 years, and I still don’t have it all together. I’m not a Bible scholar. I don’t have as many verses committed to memory as I should (and believe me, that’s necessary because spiritual warfare is a real thing—having the full armor of God is essential in our Christian walk).

Sometimes I think, “Who am I to do this?”

I know there will be blogs (that I’ve already shared) that I will have to circle back to because God will show me something new, or correct me about something I said. But that is part of what our Christian walk with Jesus is about.

It’s imperative for all of us to spend time with God and talk to Him about perspectives from others that might not line up with what God says. This includes our pastors and Bible scholars. We have to study God’s Word for ourselves.

I’m here because I’m on the journey WITH you, learning as I go, letting Jesus refine me (even when I stumble and have to get back up), and sharing what He’s teaching me along the way.

And God can use that. He can use imperfect, still-learning, still-growing me—and He can use you too. That is how our great God works. He’s awesome!! 🙌🏾 🙌🏾  (check out 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

When I finally uploaded those videos, I wasn’t thinking about how pretty I looked or how many views I’d get. I was thinking about the ONE woman who might need to hear what I have to say. The one woman who’s waiting for permission to start her thing—messy, imperfect, and scared.

That one woman is worth it.

And if that woman is you? Please hear me: Your impact isn’t measured by perfection. It’s measured by courage, heart, and faith.

The Obedience Over Outcomes Challenge

So here’s what I want you to do:

Do the thing.

Start the blog. Record the video. Write the book. Launch the business. Share your story.

Do it even if you don’t feel pretty today. Do it even if you don’t have it all figured out. Do it even if your setup is basic, your followers are few, and no one seems to be paying attention.

Do it anyway.

Because God doesn’t need Perfect You. He needs ‘Willing You’. He needs ‘Obedient You’. He needs ‘Scared-But-Showing-Up-Anyway You’.

And here’s what I’m learning to hold onto:

I’m trusting God with the algorithm.

I can’t control who sees my content. I can’t manipulate the metrics. I can’t force engagement or manufacture subscribers.

I can show up obediently and trust that God will get my words to exactly who needs them, exactly when they need them.

The algorithm isn’t my boss. God is.

And He doesn’t need perfect SEO or viral content or trending hashtags to accomplish His purposes. He just needs my willing yes and to continue learning and applying what I learn.(James 2:17)

“I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]” (Philippians 4:13, AMP)

Do you see that? All things He has called you to do. Not all things you’re qualified for. Not all things you feel ready for. Only the things He called you to.

And if He calls you, He’ll equip you. He’ll strengthen you. He’ll show up in your weakness and make it exactly what someone else needs to see or hear. You got to believe that with all of your heart.

My Prayer for You

I deeply and truly believe that the Lord will bless me and my followers greatly through what I have to share. Not because I’m special or talented or have it figured out.

Because I’m obedient.

And I’m praying the same for you. That you’ll stop waiting for perfection. That you’ll release the fear, the comparison, the pressure you’re putting on yourself.

And just show up.

Imperfect. Scared. Learning as you go.

Because your story matters. Your voice matters. And the world needs what God called only you to give.

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Life is a faith journey. Walk boldly—even when you don’t feel ready.

Be brave enough to pursue your dreams.💜
Be faithful enough to trust the process.💜
Be kind enough to help another woman along the way.💜

And remember: Your impact isn’t measured by perfection; it’s measured by courage, heart, and faith.

Hit publish, sis. What you have to share is important for us to hear.

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What’s one thing you’ve been waiting to start until you feel “ready”? What would it look like to just… begin? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear your story. And if no one else is reading yet? That’s okay. I am. And so is God. 💜