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Can Non-Christians Receive God's Creative Flow?

Mark Virkler's picture

I first became aware of the concept of flow in 1979. I was reading a book about the mind and there was a research article on “The Flow Experience.” Science had discovered that when people are in flow, they are more creative, more insightful and more effective than when in their normal state.

I pondered that and said, “That is sure true in my life.”

So I looked for flow in the Bible and discovered that a river flows from the throne room of God out through our innermost beings (Rev. 22:1; Jn. 7:37-39). This river is the Spirit of God which releases God’s grace into our lives.

I have written extensively on how Christians can release God's creativity. However it sure appears that non-Christians can and do get creative ideas also. So what’s that about? Does God’s spirit, wisdom, counsel and creativity work for non-Christians or is it reserved for Christians only?


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God's ways are unfathomable (Rom. 11:33; Eph. 3:8)

My understanding is God rains on the just and on the unjust (Matt. 5:45). God speaks to the Christian as well as the non-Christian. Pharaoh and Belshazzar are just a couple examples of this (Gen. 41; Dan. 5). God’s voice came to me as a pre-believer and called me into the Kingdom. Everyone has a spirit (Thess. 5:23). The Holy Spirit communicates with our spirits.

Would I be as generous with my giftings of grace as God is? Would I bless even those who curse me or would I withhold myself and my love and my help until they came around and decided to love, honor and respect me?

I have no problem believing that God’s grace extends to all. He is our creator, our sustainer and the one who sent His son to die for us even while we were yet sinners.

The concept of "flow" in today's scene

 It is no longer 1979. It is now 41 years later (2020) and there are many, many books on flow. It sure appears that flow works for people of other faiths. One of the books is Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. It lists his understanding of the 8 characteristics of Flow. I have listed his eight below, with the corresponding biblical principle on the right side of the chart.

 

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s principle is…

Biblical principles which could apply are…

1

Complete concentration on the task

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might (Eccl. 9:10)

2

Clarity of goals and reward in mind and immediate feedback

Jesus’ goal was “the joy set before Him (Heb. 12:2)

3

Time speeds up or slows down

In the spirit world there is timelessness (Hab. 1:2)

4

The experience is intrinsically rewarding

God’s goal is that we have an abundant life (Jn. 10:10)

5

Activity is done with effortlessness and ease

Cease your own labors – Heb. 3,4

6

There is a balance between challenge and skills

Minister according to your gifts and faith (Rom. 12:6)

7

Losing self-consciousness

I lose myself in Christ (Gal. 2:20; Jn. 15)

8

There is a feeling of control over the task

I can do all things through Christ (Phil. 4:13)

 

Can you think of a time when you were experiencing the above 8 characteristics?

I think everyone has experienced working and living in flow. When you are doing something you love and are totally immersed in it you are most likley experiencing the eight chararactistics above. I experience it often as I research, write and teach, as these are my passions. Others will experience flow in dance, artistry, creativity of any form and a host of other ways. Make it your passion to live in God’s creative flow!

Links Which Explore Divine Creativity

  1. Release Divine Creativity - King David Journaled Out the Design for Solomon's Temple! 
  2. Spirit Born Creativity - book 
  3. 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice - book  
  4. Hearing God - for Intimacy, Healing, Creativity, Meditation and Dream Interpretation - book
  5. Mark Virkler Interviewed - Description of the Creative Process - audio 
  6. Creative Prayer and Downloadable file of the contents of this blog  
  7. A Banner for Jesus - An Expression of Divine Creativity by Linda Burton 
  8. Creativity, Innovation and the Kingdom of God by Bill Dupley 
  9. Release God's Creativity and Transform Society by Bill Dupley  
  10. Divine Creativity Rewarded 
  11. Can Non-Christians Receive God's Creative Flow?  
  12. Communion With God Stimulates Divine Creativity in Worship and the Arts  
  13. Vision of God Revealing "Divine Substance" - A Key to Creative Miracles by Karin da Silva

Related Blogs: 

Business and Creativity   
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Comments

George Hartwell's picture

I agree with your conclusion here, Mark. Flow is poured out on the just and the unjust as it is God's nature to be loving, giving and forgiving and full of grace and mercy.

Flow is a powerful central concept in the message left to us by Jesus. 

Nannette 's picture

Loved today's Daily Bite and thank you for the new Podcasts. 

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Rivers of Grace DVD Package

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 1 Book | 1 LEARN Notebook | 1 DVD

You can be the parent God wants you to be: loving, encouraging, trusting and able to raise up your children in the way they should go, fulfilling their own unique destinies. Parenting was not intended to be a burden, and anyone who tells you differently has bought into a lie. You will learn to enjoy parenting as an exciting, joy-filled, divinely-ordained opportunity, not a wearying responsibility.

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Spirit-Anointed Teaching Package

Spirit-Anointed Teaching Package

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 2 Books | 2 CDs | 2 DVDs

Spirit-Anointed Teaching Materials designed to strengthen ALL teachers including parents, Sunday school teachers, cell group leaders, pastors and educators in every field! These materials will give you the tools to become a Spirit-anointed trainer!

“They were amazed at His teaching; He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Mark 1:22)

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Take Charge of Your Health DVD Package

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 1 book | 12 Video Sessions

Discover how you can take charge of your own health — keeping yourself young, energetic, attractive, and free of degenerative diseases! Discover the biblical injunctions on diet and health, and the amazing correlations between them and modern scientific research. Updated in 2015 with 20 years of fresh insights since recording the previous "Go Natural" series!

Price: $69.90

Through the Bible 1: Pentateuch DVD Package

1 DVD Set by Dr. Andrew Hardy | 1 Book by Mark and Patti Virkler

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you from Genesis through Deuteronomy in 10 sessions. This is part one of our Through the Bible series, which gives you an overview of the entire Bible. It contains DVDs of Pentateuch as well as Through the Bible workbook

Price: $44.00

Through the Bible 6: Life of Christ DVD Package

4 DVDs by Dr. Andrew Hardy | 1 Book by Mark and Patti Virkler

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you through the Life of Christ in 10 sessions. This package contains part six of our Through The Bible series, which offer you an in-depth overview of the entire Bible. You may choose to begin with the Life of Christ and work your way through the entire New Testament, and then follow this up by going through the Old Testament.

Why are there four Gospels describing Jesus' life? How are the three synoptic Gospels different from John? What does God want to say to me through the life of Jesus? Can I really imitate Christ and be like him? Yes, Jesus came to model the lifestyle God has empowered us to live!

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Through the Bible Discounted DVD Package

Through the Bible Discounted DVD Package

1 Book | 8 DVD Sets | 1 Single DVD | 1 Single CD

This package gives you the tools to transform your study of the Scriptures into encounters with their Author Who will personally reveal what He wants to say to you through them each day! First is a CD which teaches you how to meditate on Scriptures so you receive revelation from the Holy Spirit as you prayerfully read the Word (Josh. 1:8; Eph. 1:17,18). You will discover how this is different from, and much deeper than, simple western study. Next is a Through the Bible workbook which guides you chapter-by-chapter through the entire Bible. Finally, we provide the cultural, historical and linguistic insights of Dr. Andrew Hardy, a British scholar in the eight DVD sets which are all part of this discounted package.

Price: $199.00

Through the Bible New Testament DVD Package

3 DVD Sets by Dr. Andrew Hardy | 1 Book by Mark and Patti Virkler

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you through the New Testament in three modules. This package includes parts six - eight of our Through The Bible series,  which provide you an overview of the entire Bible. You may choose to begin with the Life of Christ and work your way through the entire New Testament, and then follow this up by going through the Old Testament.

Why are there four Gospels describing Jesus' life? How are the three synoptic Gospels different from John? What does God want to say to me through the life of Jesus? Can I really imitate Christ and be like him? Yes, Jesus came to model the lifestyle God has empowered us to live!

Price: $89.00

Through the Bible Old Testament DVD Package

5 DVD Sets by Dr. Andrew Hardy | 1 Book by Mark and Patti Virkler

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you through the entire Old Testament in these five modules. This is a part of our Through the Bible series, which gives you an overview of the entire Bible. This package contains five DVD modules which span the Old Testament and includes the Through the Bible workbook

Price: $144.00

Unique Gifts Make Winning Teams DVD Package

2 books | 1 card | 1 DVD set

Can I succeed like others have? What do I need to do? How do I go about it? What if I don't have the gifts necessary to do something great?  The wonderful truth revealed in Scripture is that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary feats, especially when they say, "Yes, Lord" to the destiny He has prepared for them!

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Unleashing Healing Power Through Spirit-Born Emotions DVD Package

Book | 14 DVD sessions | CDs of 5 devotionals set to music

Experience Healing for Your Body, Soul, and Spirit through Kingdom Emotions!

In Christianity, emotions are often considered to be misleading and untrustworthy—a lingering part of our fallen nature that distract us from God’s truth. But our emotions were created by God, and though the enemy may seek to manipulate our hearts, Jesus sets us free! This practical teaching will empower you to see emotions as unique channels through which the Holy Spirit works to bring miraculous life-transformation, deliverance and healing.

Price: $95.00

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