Flow

 

From the book, “The Powerful Purpose of Introverts” comes the concept of “Flow.” It is when you become so engrossed in an activity that you lose all concept of time. “Flow happens whenever we are absorbed by what we’re doing, using our God-given strengths, and feeling both challenged and capable at the same time.” Marcus Buckingham, researcher says, “It is one of the most important signs that you are living a strong life.”

I love getting lost in my devotional time, hearing God’s voice, and following rabbit trails in an unhurried manner. I also enjoy long days when I’m able to take my time exploring the world of herbs, natural health, or whatever else interests me in a meandering manner. I learn so much, and it refreshes me.

One day my daughter and I went to paint pottery. I really got in the zone that day! We were there for hours and didn’t even realize it. I was shocked once I noticed how long I had been there, and she was late for work!

I recognize that many would find these flow opportunities a luxury due to a demanding work schedule or caring for children or other family members. I too have experienced that. If that’s you, ask God to show you how to work this into your life. It’s important for your mental and spiritual health. (Introverts especially need this selfcare.) There is no shame in accepting help from others so that you can refresh yourself. You cannot pour into others if your pitcher is empty! Maybe you don’t have hours to spare, but even a few minutes can make a difference. Here are some ideas:

My daughter makes her children go to their rooms for an hour each day for quiet time. If they don’t nap, they can read or play quietly. Use this time to refresh yourself instead of doing chores.

Leave a few minutes early for work and read a book (or whatever) in the car. For several years, my car was my prayer closet.

Get up earlier. I know, I know, who wants to give up sleep? I have found that I am not super productive in the evenings anyway because I am too tired, so going to bed earlier just makes sense. Then getting up earlier isn’t so hard.

Limit your time on social media. You might say, “but that IS my flow time.” Maybe. Or the blue light might be disrupting your deep, refreshing sleep. Or social media might keep you agitated and angry. That’s not rejuvenating.

Book a babysitter/ caregiver to make time for flow. It’s okay. No need to feel guilty.

Use a vacation day for flow. Who says you have to go on a trip?

Tack on an extra hour to allow time to sit in a park when you head out to get groceries.

Say no to less important activities. There are many good activities we should decline. Otherwise, we run ourselves ragged with no margin. In my youth, I experienced a lot of piled on guilt if I didn’t participate in everything at church. The Lord has taught me to shrug that off and choose the more important. (Gasp! You can pray about that!)

I wish you great mental, physical, and spiritual health (they are interconnected)! I’d love to hear your ideas for finding time for flow. May the Lord bless you.

joyce hague

Are You Just Talking, or Are You Responding?

            Have you ever been in a conversation with someone, and as you were talking, you had the sense that she wasn’t really listening to you? Then, as soon as you finished speaking, this person immediately started saying something that had nothing to do with what you had just told her?  It probably seemed to you that she was just waiting for you to finish so she could tell her own story. This is not true friendship or good communication, is it?

            This was the analogy I heard author and bible teacher Nancy Guthrie give in a recent podcast I listened to. She was talking about prayer, and how our prayers can be very similar to this listener in the above story. God speaks to us primarily through His Word. We read it in our daily quiet times with the Lord, and we hear it preached and taught and sung. Yet, when we pray, we come with our own lists instead of responding to what God has been saying.

            There is nothing wrong with a prayer list; I often use one myself. But am I also taking the time to respond in prayer to what God has been saying? Or is my prayer very one-sided? How can we do this better and not be like the friend who just wants to speak her own concerns? Here are some thoughts I have. I’d love to hear yours:

-- When I hear the Word preached or taught, I can respond in a prayer to the Lord. What is He saying to me? What do I want to say back to Him? What do I want to praise Him for based on what I just heard? What sin should I repent of? What can I give thanks for? How do these truths speak into what is going on currently in my own life or in the lives of those close to me?

-- When I spend time in the Word and then pull out my prayer list with my items to pray for, I can begin by dialoguing with the Lord about what I just read before I start bringing my requests to Him. What stands out to me? What am I confused about? Where am I challenged to walk differently, convicted of sin, or in awe of God? Furthermore, can my requests somehow tie in with what I just read? For example, “God, you are the same Lord who helped David trust you when his life was sought by King Saul. Help me to trust You today in my much smaller issue of [fill in the blank],” or “Lord, You say in Your Word that You are a fortress and refuge. Please be that refuge for my friend ___ today who is facing ____.”

-- I can let the songs I sing or hear sung become true prayers rather than words I simply think hold great truths. I can let the truths of those songs be avenues of worshipful prayer.

-- God also speaks to us of His glory in the beauty of His creation. As I notice a beautiful sunset, a field of sunflowers, or the night sky, I can respond to the Lord in worship.

            May we be women who bring our needs and the requests of those we love to the Lord, but may we also be women who listen to Him speak and respond appropriately. In doing so, our relationship with the Lord will be strengthened as we grow in our knowledge and love of Him.

--Amy O'Rear