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As a Type 2 on the Enneagram, one of my personality traits is being a people-pleaser. It is something that I personally struggle with. We type 2s like to be needed. But I am learning to set some boundaries. I mention this today because I was convicted, this Friday, by a message taught by Pastor Holly Furtick at the Reflect women’s conference at Elevation Church. I knew right then that I had to reflect on it and write about how it impacted me.

The sermon is titled „seeing things“ and it is preached from Matthew 20:20-34. It is also inspired by 2 Corinthians 3:18 which calls us to unveil our faces as in a mirror to brightly reflect the glory of Jesus.

In her sermon, Pastor Holly compares spiritual and physical blindness. The characters in the scriptures chosen may on the surface appear to be different, i.e, the two blind men are literally blind while Zebedee‘s wife and sons are as Holly calls it, „blinded by their vision“

Holly goes on to say that most of us are blind to the fact that our driving motivation in life is how others see us. We each crave attention in some way or another and want to be seen or to be recognized by others. Regrettably, the digital era we live in has escalated this blindness. Research indicates that mental health disorders are on the rise due to the impacts of social media (such as; Wongkoblap, A., Vadillo, M.A. and Curcin, V., 2017).

Instead of serving or fulfilling our God-given purpose, we choose to live a life to impress others. This makes us crave attention and validation from the wrong sources, such as; material things, culture, social media followers, etc. Holly warns us that having these things (fame or validation) only lasts for a while. And chasing after them to fulfil us is an indication of blindness. We have become blind to our purpose i.e, what God wants to do through us.

Just as Jesus asked the characters in the scripture today, “what do you want me to do for you?” We too need to seek the answers to the question of what we want in life. According to Holly, what we ask for from Jesus will unlock our lives. As the saying goes, „be careful what you wish for“

Holly gives us three prayers that we need to instil in our daily lives;

1. Lord, help me see you for who you really are (Holly, Faithful, Loving, Father, Provider).

2. Lord, let me see myself the way you see me (I am loved, chosen, forgiven, redeemed).

3. Lord, help me see others the way you see me (with love and compassion).

Here are some other key points from Holly‘s sermon.

-The things we hate the most about ourselves (our outward appearance) are often the things that are least interesting to God. He is after our hearts (see 1 Samuel 16: 7).

-When you chose to focus on your appearance, you‘re begging for scraps! You will never be satisfied!

-“When we see God for who he really is, our calling becomes clear.“

I was reminded once again that I am here on earth to glorify God’s name. I need to always remember that my vision shouldn’t be blinded by how others see me or by material things but rather, it should be motivated by how I see others and how I can serve them to bring glory to the Almighty.

One of my favorite songs by Bethel Music goes like this,

“God I look to you, I won’t be overwhelmed, give me vision to see things like you do, God I look to you, you’re where my help comes from, give me wisdom, you know just what to do..“ I hope this becomes your prayer too.

With love and prayers,

Resty Kansiime

Here is the link to toad’s sermon