Rocky Balboa Was on to Something
By Leslie J. Barner
In the original Rocky, starring Sylvester Stallone, Paulie—trying to see the connection between Rocky and his sister, Adrian—asks “What’s the attraction?”
“I dunno,” Rocky replies. “She’s got gaps, I got gaps, together we fill gaps.”
We all have gaps. And amazingly, most couples tend to complement each other. Where one is weak, the other is strong.
For instance, I‘m an impulsive shopper. My husband is a saver. He tends to be impatient. I’m just the opposite. We fill each other’s gaps.
But there are some gaps in marriage only God can fill.
As flawed humans, we sometimes ignore our spouse’s need for attention, because we’re “too busy” or “too tired.” We can’t resist pointing out that annoying habit of theirs, yet again. And occasionally, we’ll even remind them how much we do in comparison or bring up a past hurt we claimed to have forgiven.
Yet God calls us to put our spouse’s needs above our own (Philippians 2:3-4) and to never keep score (1 Corinthians 13:5).
The good news is He not only knows what our gaps are, He has the ability to fill them.
The Bible includes many examples of men and women who felt inadequate when called by God to a specific task or responsibility. Yet in all these cases, God used these people mightily through their dependence on His ability. Not their own.
When I think of my own gaps—such as my task-oriented bent that can discourage my relational husband—I’m reminded of God’s promises to fill those gaps. Like the one in 2 Corinthians 9:8: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
Just as He was with Moses, David, Joshua, Esther, and many others, He’s with us in marriage—providing for us, equipping us, and enabling us to go the distance (see Isaiah 41:10).
The Good Stuff: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Action Points: Take a few minutes to pray together. Thank God that He is with you, that He will strengthen you, and help you build a loving, lasting marriage. Ask Him to fill your gaps as a husband, as a wife, and as a couple. And pray you will consistently rely on His power and abilities and not on your own.
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