Flow

Jesus once said:

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:37-38)

We can go to Jesus for living water, he is the original source, but this living water will then flow from within us. What does this mean?

Joshua Luke Smith says “Flow is simply finding form for the story you are living, the perspective you see through and the unique temperament you’ve been given.”

The idea of Jesus’ living water flowing from within us, like a river, is transformational. Not only do we have a source to quench our thirst, our longings, we can also see this living water pouring out from us. To others. In our work, our creativity, to our families. In expressions of life and beauty and grace. This water flowing from us leads to life and fruitfulness.

There is also a real danger if the water is not flowing. Water that doesn’t flow stagnates. It encourages bacteria and disease; it smells and pollutes. But water that is flowing, with both an outlet and an inlet, creates and sustains life. 

We went for a walk along the river Dart in Dartmoor last Summer. It was stunning. A lush, beautiful green valley, teeming with life and growth and sparkling, crystalline water cascading, rushing and flowing along. At one point the river deepened and widened so that you could swim in this pure, clear, refreshing stream. Flowing water creates life.

We have something within us that is meant to flow out. We can express this in a myriad different ways.

When Jesus spoke about flow, He was talking about the Holy Spirit flowing as living water. How then can we flow with the Spirit? Christians can bandy these phrases around, but what might it actually feel like?

Flow is also a concept in positive psychology. Dr Laura Copley (What Is Flow in Positive Psychology?) defines it as “a state where you are so immersed in an activity that you lose track of time, self-consciousness fades, and you feel a deep sense of purpose and enjoyment. We often identify this as the “optimal experience.”  I wonder if you can think of times when that has been true for you. Maybe painting, or singing. Maybe swimming or surfing in the sea; or watching the sun go down, deep in conversation with friends. Did you recognise a spiritual side to this? Being in flow with the Holy Spirit?

While there are definite differences, I think positive psychology can help us understand something of being in flow with the Spirit.

Immersion and connection

Being in flow is about being immersed in the Holy Spirit, connected to someone much greater than us and as a result connected to creation and others.

Loss of self-consciousness

We focus less on ourselves, worrying less about our abilities or what others may be thinking. 

Presence

We are totally present in the moment. Distractions fade and our scattered attention focuses in.

That’s as far as I’ve got for now. It feels a bit like putting words to something I’ve had the privilege to experience and long for more of. I hope to get with the flow more.