There is a YOU-sized gap

When I read the subject of Pastor Scott’s May 24 sermon, “Stand In the Gap,” my first thought was not of Ezekiel 22:30:

I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.

My first thought was of sorting cattle with my dad.  Whenever we had to sort cattle for any number of reasons, I was often told to “stand in the gap” and let the appropriate cattle through, and to not let the wrong ones through.  Now, let me just say, I have always enjoyed working with cattle.  Ours were relatively gentle and calm.  However, when sorting cows from their calves or the bull from his beloved bovines, expect the unexpected.  Miss Docile Daisy can become a demon and Mr. Bull … well, bulls are never to be totally trusted.

The cattle knew, and I knew, that I was all that stood between them and the herd.  You might say my dad introduced me to prayer.

“Go stand in the gap” often struck fear in my pre-teen/early-teen heart and head.  The fight or flight instinct kicked in strongly.  My mind said, “Oh, they’ll stop.  They won’t run over me.”  Or was that Dad saying that?  Instinct often told me, “Are you crazy-nuts?  They are much bigger than you!” and possibly more determined.

I made the correlation that Sunday.  Standing in the gap is about courage.  Someone needs you to stand in the gap for them.  Pastor Scott asked, “Who will make a difference tomorrow?”  “Am I making a difference?”

The following prayer was in the Mom’s Devotional Bible by Elisa Morgan:

Dear God, I pray for __________________. I stand in the gap today for their need. I ask you to show me what I might do to bring you to them today. In your name I pray. Amen.

Do I/you have the courage to stand in that gap?