Words of Inspiration - Force vs, Flow

[00:00:37] Welcome to the Bible Speaks with your host, Elgin Carelock.

[00:00:42] The Bible Speaks is a daily podcast dedicated to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ,

[00:00:49] rightly dividing the word of truth and learning how to apply it to our daily lives.

[00:00:55] You may contact Elgin at the address given at the end of the broadcast, and now here's

[00:01:01] Elgin.

[00:01:03] Brothers and sisters, I welcome you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

[00:01:10] To another episode of Words of Inspiration, will be uncovered the truth that guidance

[00:01:19] in our everyday lives.

[00:01:22] And today we're talking about something many of us struggle with.

[00:01:26] Force vs. Flow.

[00:01:31] Our inspiration for today's episode comes from Zechariah 4, verse 6, and reading from the

[00:01:40] new international version, it says, not by might nor by power, but by my spirit, says

[00:01:49] the Lord Almighty.

[00:01:51] In this one verse, we see a powerful distinction between how the world defines success,

[00:01:58] through force, might and power, and how God defines success through the work of his

[00:02:05] spirit.

[00:02:06] So let's unpack this idea together and explore how living a life of flow in God's will

[00:02:13] brings peace, purpose, and true success.

[00:02:17] While forcing things through our own strength often leads to frustration and burnout,

[00:02:27] firstless examine the concept of force.

[00:02:30] The world often teaches us that success is achieved through sheer determination, hard work,

[00:02:37] and exerting control over our circumstances.

[00:02:41] We're taught to push harder, take control, to make things happen.

[00:02:45] Whether that's in our careers, relationships, or personal goals.

[00:02:51] In this mindset, success is something you force through your own strength.

[00:02:57] There's no doubt that hard work and perseverance are important, but he was the problem.

[00:03:03] When we rely solely on our own might, we quickly run into our own limitations.

[00:03:09] We get tired, frustrated, and overwhelmed because we're trying to force outcomes

[00:03:15] that, and many cases, are out of our control.

[00:03:20] The harder we try to force things through our own power, the more we tend to feel pressure

[00:03:25] mounting, it becomes exhausting to keep striving, pushing, and forcing things to go our way.

[00:03:33] In the world's view, success is often defined by external achievements, which can include

[00:03:39] money, status, or power.

[00:03:42] But this kind of success can leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled,

[00:03:47] because we're missing out on a deeper meaning of life.

[00:03:51] Proverbs 19 and 21 reminds us, many are the plans in a person's heart,

[00:03:58] but is to lower its purpose that prevails.

[00:04:01] We can try to force our own plans, but ultimately, it's God's purpose that stands firm.

[00:04:08] And when we push too hard, when we try to control everything,

[00:04:13] we actually close ourselves off from the life that God has for us.

[00:04:19] So let's shift gears to talk about flow.

[00:04:23] When we talk about flow in the biblical sense, we're talking about living in alignment with God's spirit.

[00:04:29] This is the kind of life Zechariah 4 and 6 speaks about.

[00:04:34] Not by might, nor by power, but by spirit.

[00:04:40] Living in flow means trusting God's guidance, relying on His strength,

[00:04:45] and being open to His timing.

[00:04:47] It's not passive, don't get me wrong.

[00:04:50] It still requires faith, action, and effort on our part.

[00:04:55] But the difference is this, instead of trying to control everything and force outcomes

[00:05:00] where moving in sync with God's plan for our lives, we're letting Him lead us and we're doing

[00:05:07] our part in obedience and faith.

[00:05:11] Think about a river flowing through a valley.

[00:05:14] It doesn't force His way forward, it moves naturally,

[00:05:18] directed by the shape of the land and the pull of gravity.

[00:05:22] In the same way when we live in the flow of the Holy Spirit, we're directed by God's purpose

[00:05:28] for our lives. We move with grace, peace and assurance, knowing that He is guiding us.

[00:05:37] Isaiah 30 and 21 says, whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears were

[00:05:44] heurah voice behind you saying, this is the way, walk in it.

[00:05:50] That's the flow we're talking about. The gentle, clear guidance of God's spirit,

[00:05:56] leading us step by step. The world defines success by what you can achieve,

[00:06:03] but God defines success by who you are becoming in Him. It's about faithfulness, obedience,

[00:06:11] and letting God spirit work in and through you. The success God has for you might not look like

[00:06:19] a world's definition, but it will be far more fulfilling and impactful.

[00:06:25] Matthew 6 verse 33 gives us a powerful reminder. It reads,

[00:06:31] but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.

[00:06:39] When you prioritize God's kingdom, when you let His spirit flow in your life,

[00:06:45] everything else falls into place. You don't have to force it. God is the one who opens

[00:06:52] your stores, who brings the right opportunities and who guides your path. So what does it look

[00:07:00] like to let go of force and embrace flowing your life? First, it requires surrender. It means

[00:07:09] letting go of the need to control everything, interesting that God's plan is better than your own.

[00:07:16] It means being open to His timing, even when it doesn't match your own expectations.

[00:07:22] Second, it requires faith. Faith that God's spirit is working, even when you can't see the full picture.

[00:07:32] Faith that He's able to do imaginably more than all we ask or imagine.

[00:07:39] Finally, it requires listening. Listening to the general prompting of the Holy Spirit

[00:07:46] and being willing to follow wherever it leads. That's how you flow in God's will.

[00:07:52] It's about daily obedience, trusting Him to direct your steps and knowing that success isn't

[00:07:59] something you have to force. It's something that you receive when you align with His purpose.

[00:08:06] So as we wrap up this episode, let me ask you this. Are you living a life of force or flow?

[00:08:15] Are you relying on your own strength and pushing for outcomes? Or are you trusting God's

[00:08:21] spirit to guide and direct your steps? Zechariah 4 and 6 reminds us that true success

[00:08:29] doesn't come from our might of power. It comes from the spirit of God working in and through us.

[00:08:36] I thank you for spending time with me on today and I look forward to our conversation on tomorrow.

[00:08:44] Until then, God bless. The Bible speaks is sponsored by C squared,

[00:08:55] realty, and new gen construction group to help spread the gospel to the corners of the earth.

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