Elevation with Steven Furtick
Episode Title: What Are You Doing?
Date: March 29, 2026
Duration: ~51 min (primary message content begins at 02:40)
Episode Overview
In this uplifting Palm Sunday message, Pastor Steven Furtick explores the question, “What are you doing?” drawing from John 12:12-16 and the account of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Through vivid storytelling, humor, and practical illustrations, Furtick challenges listeners to trust God’s process—even when life feels confusing or messy. He breaks down the narrative through four perspectives: the disciples, the crowds, the donkey, and the King (Jesus). Ultimately, Pastor Steven encourages faith in the “Weaver”—reminding listeners that God is masterfully stitching together every thread of their journey for a greater purpose.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Context: Palm Sunday & The Triumphal Entry
- Furtick sets the stage by moving quickly in the Gospel of John to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, ahead of Easter (02:46).
- “We’re skipping a few scenes, but we’re going to see the Lord ride in to Jerusalem on a donkey. We’re going to see what that means for me and for you.” (02:46)
- Recognizes how this joyful occasion for the people was foreshadowed by Jesus’ forthcoming sacrifice.
2. The Four Perspectives: The Outline of the Message
- Furtick frames his sermon around four main “characters” (08:08):
- The Disciples – Walking with Jesus
- The Crowds – Waving palm branches
- The Donkey – Waiting for use
- The King – Weaving God’s plan
3. What Are You Doing? The Common Question
- “What are you doing?”—a question that is universal, directed at ourselves, at others, and even at God during difficult seasons.
- “What are you doing, Lord? ... I know there’s going to be streets paved with gold in heaven. But right now that is not a currency for me to pay my power bill right here on this earth that you put me on.” (08:01)
- Raises the reality that much of faith is trusting when the ‘why’ isn’t clear.
Deep Dive: The Four Perspectives
1. The Disciples: Walking in Confusion and Faith
- The disciples often didn’t understand in the moment; their understanding came “only after” (05:33, 09:59).
- “Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to Him.” (05:46, 21:19)
- Modern believers know “what they didn’t,” making it unfair to judge their confusion (10:11).
- The difference between “looking at something and living in something”—don’t judge someone else’s journey from outside appearances (13:06).
- Furtick uses an analogy of his marriage cross-stitch to illustrate how life has a polished “front” and a messy “underside” not visible to all (15:45, 16:11).
- “Every marriage does have an underside. … When you look at everybody’s Easter pictures on Instagram...they’re showing this, but they probably went through this in the car before they got the Sears to take the picture.” (16:11)
Notable Quote
"Sometimes it is easier to worship a Jesus that you read about than it is to walk with a Jesus who is frustrating your expectations and confusing your emotions by heading to the cross when you need him to be a king." (11:54)
Main Point
- Keep walking in faith even when you don’t understand the pattern God is weaving. Trust him with ‘the underside’.
2. The Crowds: Waving, Praising, and Changing Sides
- The crowds shout “Hosanna!” and celebrate Jesus with palm branches, a symbol of victory (22:25, 23:07).
- Furtick points out how quickly praise can turn to rejection—these same crowds would soon shout, “Crucify Him.”
- “Don’t ever get too attached to people’s praise. If you live by it, you’ll die when they take it away.” (24:51)
- Cautions listeners not to confuse people being loud with being loyal (26:16).
Notable Quote
"Don’t confuse loud with loyal." (26:16)
Main Point
- Don’t place your value in fleeting approval of people. Jesus moved through the crowd, not for the crowd’s approval.
3. The Donkey: Waiting and Being Used for God’s Purpose
- The details about the donkey are simple, but reveal deep truths (Mark 11:2-3). Jesus instructs his disciples to untie a colt “which no one has ever ridden.”
- “Jesus borrowed two things around Easter. One was a donkey and one was a tomb.” (30:11)
- God often chooses the unexpected—a common, inexperienced donkey, not a grand horse (33:09).
- “He did not look for a scholar… He said, I need a donkey. I wonder who I can trust enough to take my word without detail, to take my word without explanation, to take my word without the cross reference and do what I need you to do.” (31:35)
- Sometimes obedience precedes understanding.
- “God said, obey it now and I'll explain it later.” (33:40, 34:02)
- Your perceived rejection may actually be preparation or reservation for God’s purpose (36:02).
Notable Quote
"God said, I want a donkey that is inexperienced...Because God said, I want a donkey that stumbles into Jerusalem. I want a donkey that’s awkward to ride on...because I’m doing a new thing." (37:59)
Main Point
- God chooses and uses those who simply make themselves available, not those who feel most qualified. Trust God’s timing even when you feel “tied up.”
4. The King (Jesus): Weaving All Things Together
- While the disciples are walking, crowds are waving, and the donkey is waiting, Jesus is “weaving.”
- “All that time, the king is weaving. My life is but a weaving between my God and me.” (39:03)
- Illustration: A cross-stitched blanket, beautiful on one side and messy on the other—God sees the complete picture (47:43, 49:23).
- God has been preparing your “donkey moment” for years; nothing is wasted in His hands (42:13).
- Romans 8:28 is referenced: “All things work together for the good of them who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.”
Notable Quote
“The times for me that were the most confusing were the times he used the most.” (47:37)
“While the disciples were walking and while the crowds were waving and the donkey was waiting, there was a king who was weaving.” (42:24)
Memorable Moments & Illustrations (with Timestamps)
- The Cross-Stitch & Marriage Analogy (15:45–19:28)
- Demonstrates that every beautiful “front” (public life) has a messy “underside” (private struggles).
- Corrie Ten Boom's Poem ‘The Weaver’ (14:25)
- “My life is but a weaving between my God and me. I cannot choose the colors. He weaveth steadily. Ofttimes he weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride forget He sees the upper and I the underside…”
- Obey Now, Understand Later (33:40, 34:02)
- “God said, obey it now and I'll explain it later.”
- Calling Out the Donkey's Purpose Over 500 Years (36:02)
- Emphasizes God’s long-range planning for even the “smallest” roles in the story.
- Palm Branches vs. Donkey: Why Not Donkey Sunday? (26:11)
- Humorous questioning of tradition that still delivers a powerful point about overlooked vessels.
Important Timestamps
| Timestamp | Segment / Quote |
|--------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 02:40 | Furtick begins preaching (reading John 12:12–16) |
| 05:33–06:35 | Introduces “What are you doing?” as sermon’s framing question |
| 08:08 | Lays out four perspectives: the disciples, crowds, donkey, King |
| 10:11 | “Don’t judge the disciples… we know what they didn’t” |
| 13:06 | “There’s a difference between looking at something and living in something…” |
| 15:45 | Marriage analogy using cross-stitch |
| 21:19 | “Only after Jesus was glorified…” (turning point for disciples’ understanding) |
| 24:51 | “Don’t ever get too attached to people’s praise…” |
| 26:11 | “Don’t confuse loud with loyal.” |
| 31:35 | “I wonder who I can trust enough to take my word without detail…” |
| 33:40–34:02 | “Obey it now and I’ll explain it later.” |
| 36:02 | 500 years of preparation for the donkey (Zechariah’s prophecy) |
| 39:03–39:25 | “All that time, the king is weaving…” – cross-stitch “Weaver” motif introduced |
| 42:24 | “While the disciples were walking…and the donkey waiting, there was a king weaving.” |
| 47:37 | “The times for me that were the most confusing were the times he used the most…” |
| 49:23 | Blanket illustration—trusting the “underside” versus the finished pattern |
Main Takeaways
- Faith in Confusing Seasons: It’s okay to not understand what God is doing; understanding often comes after obedience and time.
- God Uses the Unlikely: The unqualified, the inexperienced, and the “awkward donkeys” are exactly who God uses for significant purposes.
- Messiness is Okay: The “underside” of our lives—pain, confusion, struggle—is invaluable in God’s masterful weaving.
- Don’t Seek Validation in Temporary Praise: People’s support is inconsistent; root your identity in God’s unwavering plan.
- Obedience Precedes Explanation: Sometimes God simply asks for trust and obedience before offering clarity.
Closing Encouragement
Furtick wraps with an impassioned reminder:
“You may not understand it right now, but after Jesus is glorified, you will understand… What are you doing, God? I’ll tell you what I’m doing. I’m weaving. I’m weaving. I’m weaving. I have good hands.” (47:43–49:23)
He prays for listeners, blessing them with the faith to keep trusting God, the master Weaver, knowing that everything in their journey—good, bad, confusing, or beautiful—is being masterfully stitched together for their good and God’s glory.
For Reflection:
“What are you doing?” Next time you ask this of God or yourself, remember: God is weaving, and the King is coming.
