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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Unleashing Healing Power Through Spirit-Born Emotions DVDs

by Mark Virkler and Charity Kayembe | 14 Sessions | 6.5 hours

Build a theology and experience the role of Kingdom emotions to engage and release Kingdom power! Jesus, moved by compassion, healed (Matt. 14:14). You can, too! Discover how Kingdom emotions can be born in your heart to carry the Holy Spirit's power to perform healing, as well as turn on healing genes while turning off inflammatory genes. Experience God's Kingdom which is peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17)!

Price: $59.95

49 Lies DVDs – 49 Religious Lies Jesus Told Me to Stop Believing

by Mark Virkler | 6 Discs

49 Video Sessions are included

This package includes 49 professionally taped sessions, each 5-12 minutes long which is my testimony of breaking free from each lie. I discuss what the lie is, its impact on my life, what Jesus spoke, my prayer of repentance and the new freedom I experienced which allows me to step into a new life in Christ.

If you have ever believed any of the following lies, then this book is for you: "Emotions are soulish;" "Money is evil or secular;" "It is wrong to seek vision;" "Don’t trust experiences;" "God gave me a mind and expects me to use it;" "Politics are evil;" God is always beating on me;" or one of 43 more such detestable lies...

Price: $49.00

Decoding Deception DVDs

Mark Virkler

This eight-part training series takes you through the key biblical principles you need to know so that you can walk in the truth, and be aware of the techniques satan uses to seek to deceive people. Ideal for personal or group study. You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free!

Price: $39.95
Divine Healing Toolbox CD/DVD Set

Divine Healing Toolbox CD/DVD Set

by Mark Virkler | 1 CD, 1 DVD

Jesus healed all who asked Him and our goal is to be like Him! He commissioned His disciples saying, "Heal those...who are sick, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you'" (Lk. 10:9).

We begin with the assumption that we agree that it is God’s will to heal. Having prayed for healing for people for years, Mark has seen many wonderful miracles and also seen times when it appeared that very little happened. This short teaching describes some practical steps he has learned which make his prayers for healing more effective.

Price: $15.95

From Oppression to Victory Digital Videos

Mark Virkler

This eight-part training series takes you through the key biblical principles you need to know so that you can walk in the light and live free of demonic harassment. Ideal for personal or group study. Live free from oppression and demonic attack. Thrive in the victory of love, joy, peace, blessing, anointing and fruitfulness!

Price: $39.95
Fulfill Your Financial Destiny DVDs

Fulfill Your Financial Destiny DVDs

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 22 Video Sessions

Newly recorded for 2023! Though the economic system (mammon) of this world is under a curse, we have received instructions for how to move out from that dominion and into the blessing of the Kingdom of God. God’s promises to His children have not changed with the whims of government or Wall Street, nor have His directions for how to walk in those promises. We can “choose not to participate” in the economic recession that is around us if we instead choose to obey the logos and rhema of the Lord and enjoy the blessings that result.

Price: $59.95

How Do YOU Know? DVDs

by Mark Virkler | 12 Sessions

How do you know? What is the process you use to discover truth? I did not ask that question during the first 25 years of my life. I used eleven different methods for discovering truth including: if my parents said so, then it was so. If my teacher said it was so, then it was so. If my pastor said it was so, then it was so. If my theology said it was so, then it was so. I have discarded them all and adopted a twelfth method, which is in harmony with what the Bible teaches. We teach you this method in this series.

Price: $59.95
How to Speak in Tongues CD/DVD Set

How to Speak in Tongues CD/DVD Set

by Mark Virkler | 1 CD, 1 DVD | Produced 2010

Speaking in tongues involves a miracle wherein you yield your vocal cords to the flow of the Holy Spirit, trusting that God is forming the syllables you speak into a language. It may be a language of men or of angels (1 Cor. 13:1). You choose to speak (Acts 2:4) but you choose not to form the syllables consciously, and instead let the Spirit give the utterance (Acts:2:4).

Price: $15.95
How to Walk by the Spirit DVDs

How to Walk by the Spirit DVDs

by Mark Virkler | 6 Discs

Are you like many western Christians who have been taught little about how to sense their spirits? Do you have trouble even defining what spirit sensations feel like within you, much less recognizing them? This training was birthed from Mark’s passion to live out of his spirit, and thus release the anointing of God. The problem he faced was lack of clear biblical definition as to what his spirit felt like. So Mark looked up every verse in the Bible on heart and spirit.

Revised & Expanded 15th Anniversary Edition

Price: $59.95
Mountain-Moving Faith CD/DVD Set

Mountain-Moving Faith CD/DVD Set

by Mark Virkler | 1 CD, 1 DVD

God is our Dream Maker! He has placed a dream within the heart of each of us that only He can supernaturally bring to pass. God gave an impossible dream to Abraham, our Father of Faith. In this powerful message, Mark will show you how God filled the five senses of Abraham’s spirit with His truth and birthed a miracle out through him. And you will learn how you can walk in the same faith while you hear, see, ponder, speak and act out of the Father’s initiative, allowing Him alone to fill the senses of your spirit.

Price: $15.95

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