Stay Liquid: Join the Flow of Living Waters
As the team, from the TV show, “S.W.A.T” speeds to an intense situation, Hondo (the team captain) calmly lays out what they know about the assignment. With confidence, he utters his well-known phrase “Stay Liquid” as they hop out of the truck heading into danger…
This scene got me thinking about our fluidity as we hop out of bed each morning facing our earthly assignments…
Last month we talked about the consistent undercurrent of God’s faithfulness across all our seasons even when we don’t notice. I had already been pondering, “How do we join the FLOW of His undercurrent?” when the phrase, “Stay Liquid” bounced by in bold letters. Both ideas joined as if two waterways were meeting, setting in motion another question to ponder, “How do we stay liquid?”
As I was about to sit down to pen this blog, a sensitive issue came across social media and I felt my hackles rising. My primal instincts – fight, flight, or freeze – were surging and I felt action brewing subconsciously. (Timing couldn’t have been more ironic). As I paid attention to my body’s cues, I sensed a stiffening of my posture. Instead of fluidity, “Stay Liquid” felt more like Frozen Icicles.
So, what does it mean to “Stay Liquid” in our daily life?
Thinking about our team assignment to Love God and Love our Neighbors, here are some thoughts to consider:
1. Like the S.W.A.T. team, we must undergo extensive and continual training. Yet, our training begins as we meet with the Living God, who prepares us for our mission and reminds us to walk with the Spirit.
2. Remembering that God is never caught off guard and nothing is a surprise to him provides tremendous reassurance.
3. Pay attention to signs of defensiveness, noticing any ice forming in your attitude. Notice what physically happens to your body when your guard goes up. As you notice it, naming it is helpful. Invite curiosity and ask God to help you soften those resistant tendencies.
4. Identify what hinders your performance. Do you have an inclination toward structure and certainty? Black and white? Right and wrong? Clean and unclean? My attitude towards messiness has sometimes been a stumbling block, yet those are the precise areas where our assignments often reside.
5. Embrace the messiness and remain curious. Practice leaning into difficult situations rather than turning away from them or trying to control the outcome.
I see a common thread between the term’s “undercurrent”, “joining the flow”, and “staying liquid” that resonate all throughout the Bible.
A quick search on Google revealed that the word “WATER” appears a riveting 722 times in the Bible. Its significance is evident from the opening verses to the closing passages.
In Genesis 1:2 we read about the condition of the earth before creation: it was formless, empty, and covered in darkness, with the Spirit of God hovering over the WATERS.
Jumping to Revelation 21:6 we encounter an invitation from the Lord for all who are thirsty to come - drink freely from the WATER of life.
These passages from the beginning and end of the Bible highlight the original and intended state of creation. The concept of messiness wasn’t present in the flawless garden of Eden, nor is messiness mentioned in the new heaven.
However, “messiness” exists in our present reality. It represents the brokenness we experience now in the in-between.
When I attempt to face messiness alone, without God, my protective and defensive parts kick in. These parts are partial to rules, walls, criticism, and judgment, all in pursuit of being “right”.
Rather than feeling liquid, I feel hardened and unmoving or like steam seeping into hidden crevices causing an onset of queasiness.
We have another option rather than facing these messy situations alone. Let’s look at some verses that offer wisdom and how we can tap into the Living WATER, and draw from its endless flow.
Psalm 1:1-3 – Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of WATER, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 42:1 – As the deer pants for streams of WATER, so my soul pants for you O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the Living God.
Jesus speaks in John 7:37-39: On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living WATER will FLOW from within him. By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.
Side note: Here’s an interesting article about what Jesus meant when He spoke of living water.
Galations 5:16-26 AMP
But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].
For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (rewards).
But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.
If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]. We must not become conceited, challenging, or provoking one another, envying one another.
So, staying liquid resembles walking in the Spirit. Gal 5:16 says to walk “habitually” in the Spirit. This would imply maintaining a regular practice, much like the principle of PRACTICE discussed in chapter 7 of Angela Duckworth’s book “Grit, the Power of Passion & Perseverance.” From her research she found that it takes approximately 10,000 hours of deliberate PRACTICE to become an expert. She found that intentional, EFFORTFUL practice leads to Effort-Less FLOW.
She found that intentional, EFFORTFUL practice leads to effortless FLOW.
Considering her research, it seems logical to conclude that intentionally practicing walking with the Spirit will lead to the FLOW of living waters within us (staying liquid). And collectively with the Spirit we can join the river of Living Waters. The ones that were intended from the beginning and are a foretaste of what is to come.
By grace, it is possible to Stay Liquid and Join the Flow of Living Waters! May our bodily cues serve as clues to the type of water we are carrying within our vessel each day.
This dance requires regular practice, with a focus on letting the Spirit lead and letting go of pushing our agenda.
If you find yourself dancing with 2 left feet - struggling with doing what you don't want to do and not doing what you want to do, don't sit the next one out. God offers abundant chances to find our rhythm once again.
We’re on this dance team together. Stay Liquid, my friend.
Can I get a “Roger That?”
Til next time…
If you’re sensing a disconnect in your spiritual flow and could use some personalized guidance, encouragement, and accountability, I’m here to help. My coaching services are designed with your unique journey in mind. Together we can craft practical strategies to deepen your connection with God and face life’s trials with steadiness and faith. Reach out today to arrange a complimentary call and start taking strides toward a more connected Spirit-led life. Email me at lisa@lisacrowdercoaching.com Remember, you’re not alone on this journey.
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Here a few other Hope*Writer friends with thoughts on “Flow”
The Adventure of Flowing With God by Sharla Hallett
www.sharlahallett.com/the-adventure-of-flowing-with-god/
Simple Is Better - Finding Spiritual Flow by Dianne Vielhuber
https://simplewordsoffaith.com/2024/05/01/simple-is-better-finding-spiritual-flow/
How To Thrive with Structure vs. Flow
https://ashleyolivine.com/how-to-thrive/
photo credits: Canva
Roger that! Ebb and flow...stay fluid in the living waters of life.... thanks Lisa.