Be a Pipe, Not a Pan: The Power of Flow in Productivity and Faith

Be a Pipe, Not a Pan: The Power of Flow in Productivity and Faith

By Charlie Wear

In my father’s years managing the repair of freight cars for the Southern Pacific Railroad in the greater Los Angeles area, he discovered a powerful principle of productivity: Flow. Instead of completing one project at a time, he advocated doing a little bit of work on each project daily, creating a steady flow of progress that led to faster and more efficient completion of all tasks.

This principle resonates deeply not only in the workplace but also in the spiritual realm. It aligns with my friend Steve Sjogren’s spiritual insight about being a pipe, not a pan.

The Pan Mentality

Picture a pan—it’s wide and flat, collecting water that stagnates over time. When we approach tasks, relationships, or our faith journey like a pan, we hoard our energy and focus in one area, trying to “finish” before moving on. This can lead to stagnation, burnout, or frustration.

Spiritually, the pan mentality reflects trying to hoard God’s blessings, focusing on self rather than others. In Luke 12:16–21, Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool who hoards his surplus grain, only to lose his life and his treasures in one night. This story reminds us that blessings are not meant to be stored away but shared and used for God’s purposes.

The Pipe Perspective

Now think about a pipe. Water flows through it, always moving, always directed toward a purpose. My father’s management principle of Flow embodies the pipe mentality. Instead of focusing solely on completing one thing at a time, you direct effort steadily across all projects, keeping them moving until each is finished.

In the same way, when we embrace the pipe perspective in faith, we let God’s blessings flow through us to others. Jesus said in John 7:38, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” A pipe allows the living water of Christ to flow freely, refreshing others and fulfilling God’s purposes.

Using Flow to Get Things Done

To implement Flow in productivity:

1. Break Down Tasks – Identify the core tasks within each project and prioritize small, actionable steps.
2. Distribute Effort Evenly – Allocate a little time or energy daily to each task, ensuring steady progress.
3. Stay Consistent – Momentum is key. Even small steps keep the flow moving.

In faith, Flow means:

• Surrendering to Christ daily and asking Him to direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5–6).
• Pouring out love, forgiveness, and kindness as freely as you receive them (Luke 6:38).
• Staying humble, knowing you’re a vessel, not the source (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Going All-In with Christ

Being a pipe rather than a pan is about going all-in for Christ without trying to hoard or control the flow of His grace. It’s about trusting Him to provide what you need as you share it with the world. Just as my father’s principle of Flow ensured the timely repair of freight cars, living with an open heart allows you to make steady, lasting progress in both productivity and faith.

In Matthew 5:16, Jesus reminds us, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” A pipe lets the light and love of God flow freely to others.

Let’s be pipes, not pans—directing Flow in all we do and allowing Christ to work through us, knowing that He is the ultimate source.

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