Life in the "Gaps"

And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none. Ezekiel 22:30

For an offensive line coach many hours of energy are spent working on controlling the A and B gaps. The A and B gaps are how football coaches define the areas between the center and the two guards and the guards and the two tackles. We worry about protecting the gap, strengthening the gap, moving a defender from the gap, and filling the gaps. After all, in the game of football, the difference in winning and losing happens in the A and B gaps. If the offensive line fails to move the defenders from the gaps or if defenders are allowed to freely run through the gaps, the running backs, quarterbacks, and receivers will never have a chance to be successful. That is what I love about coaching the offensive line. No other position in sports has as much influence over the success and failure of their team as the offensive line. Life as an offensive lineman in the A and B gaps is smelly, grimy, and dirty. The work is difficult, it takes tough guys to do it, and that is what makes it special. If the quarterback drops back to pass, is protected from the defenders, and completes a touchdown pass to a wide receiver no one notices the large young men that made it possible by securing the gaps. If a running back breaks through the line and scores a touchdown, the sports reporters will write about his amazing accomplishment but none will notice the young men who opened the gap. I often jokingly remind my offensive linemen to not tell their mothers about what happens in the A and B gaps because they might not let them play anymore! I am thankful for the young men I am blessed to coach who are willing to do the tough work in the gaps to help their teammates succeed.

In the game of football, the defense attacks the A and B gaps because these are the most vulnerable and weakest areas of the offense. The offensive linemen are strong and the defensive players know they will not defeat them by running directly into the larger players. The defensive players use all their best tricks to create a weakness in one of the gaps, and when they find it they attack with full force. Satan attacks us in much the same way. He already knows our weaknesses and attacks those “gaps” in our character. He will use the temptations that cause us to struggle, the pride that prevents us from searching our hearts for a weakness, or a recent setback to pull us away from a daily relationship with our Heavenly Father. We have to search His word each day and speak to Him to ask for wisdom to recognize our “gaps” and the strength to protect those “gaps”. We need fellow believers to stand beside us, close the gaps, and pray for our strength. We are also called to protect the gaps in our friends' lives. We should pray for their strength to withstand the attacks and be willing to fight the evil one in the gap. Pray and ask God to show you the gaps in your life that are vulnerable to Satan’s attacks.

In Ezekiel 22:30, God is asking for one person to stand in the gap of the wall to protect the city from His wrath, but found none. I believe He is still looking today for the young man, young woman, mom, dad, student, or coach who is willing to guard the gap, drive Satan from the gap, and make it possible for others to know of His love.

This is why my blog is titled "Life in the Gaps". ( I felt it required some explanation for the non-football reader.) I hope you will enter your email address on the main page and follow me - this will allow you to receive new blog posts in your inbox. Thanks and please pray that all of us together can be the one to stand in the gap and encourage those around us in the name of Jesus and for His glory alone.

Chad