Type: Did you know for a few weeks I was studying to be an enneagram coach? It was a panic decision and once I dove deep into studying I realized it was not the direction I needed to be going.
I love the enneagram. I rarely mention it here because, eye roll, we’re all talking about it. But knowing my type and my family and friends has been beyond beneficial to our relationships. It has given my husband and I a language that we hadn’t been able to find the words for. It has allowed me to better understand myself.
But it is a tool that has to be used carefully. I watch people use it to pigeonhole others and justify their own behaviors.
I’ve done it myself.
The joke is that 9’s are lazy. We like naps and can’t make a decision to save our lives. I wrestled with that and then rested in it. I thought my days of sluggishness were just who I was. I didn’t feel lazy, but it was hard to accomplish anything. I shrugged my shoulders and guessed this was just part of being a 9. Until it got to the point where I would need to sit down between tasks. Doing the dishes took it out of me. Vacuuming would send me to the couch. I found myself sitting down between chores just to get a break. It felt as though there were concrete bricks on my feet.
Then I got to the point where I remember asking my nine-year-old daughter while we were out once if she knew what to do if I passed out. I could barely stand without feeling as though the world would go black.
This was not because of my type. Something was not right. I needed to see a doctor. I did. I learned this is part of what Hashimotos combined with Celiac disease looks like.
I pigeonholed myself to the point of unhealthiness. I rested on my type. I claimed something that was not true.
God did not create us in nine boxes. He is bigger than that. Do I resonate with 9’s? You bet! Has it been a great tool? Definitely! Has it opened my eyes to how I see God and why I pray the way I do? In ways I am beyond thankful for! It has also shown me how I am NOT wired. This is where it can get really beautiful. This is where we can lean deep into God and ask Him to move through us because we don’t have it in us. All there is room for is God. Even though I’m not a justice seeking 8 scripture still calls me to act justly (Micah 6:8). Even though I’m not a fun loving 7 scriptures tells me that Jesus came for us to live life and live it to the fullest (John 10:10) Even though I am not a big hearted 2 I still need to serve (Ephesians 6:7). I could go on and on. My enneagram number is merely a jumping off point for the real numbers. The numbers of scripture. That is the type of person I need to be. One who leans on God in my weaknesses. One who digs into scripture to find how to live. One who tears down the walls of the box I’ve put myself (and God into).
