Download PDF

G A P

DEBORAH QUINONES MARCOS / 2022-03-31

G A P

Deborah Quinones Marcos

For today’s reflection, I am focusing on a powerful gift that we sometimes ignore, or choose not to use. It is the gift of GAP.

Gap is defined as a break or space between two entities. It is an unfilled space, an interval, a pause or a delay.

While I was doing some readings, I found an article that mentioned the findings of a study conducted by Ramesh Sitaraman ( a Computer Science Professor). His study examined the viewing habits of 6.7 million internet users. His findings are jaw-dropping:

• subjects were willing to be patient for only two seconds

• after 5 seconds, the abandonment rate is 25%

• 10 seconds wait, half are gone.

I think we are in that era when we are so used to having “instant gratification”. The advancement of technologies and the virtual world where everything has an instant result has led us to be impatient with almost everything. We hate to wait. This is an era when we do not even use, or we simply ignore that gift of gap. We want results right NOW.

Sometimes, gap can be awkward, uncomfortable and it could even provoke impatience, stress and anxiety. In some instances, gap could be dreadful, and few seconds of gap feels awfully long.

However, gap if used correctly could be beneficial. For instance, when we do cardiac compression during a CardioPulmonary Resuscitation, we normally count one and two and three and four, and so on. The gap between each compression is so important to allow blood to flow back to the heart so that we have something to pump out. If we do cardiac compression without any pause, that will make our effort ineffective.

Even though gap could be awkward, and uncomfortable, it is also equally important. Without gap you get yourself burned out easily. Without gap you can say careless words to people you love. Without gap you buy things you cannot afford and destroy your finances. Without gap you cheat on your spouse. Without gap you give up on your dreams. Without gap you ignite violence. Without gap you could trigger war. Could you imagine, if the authorities could have used the gift of gap? Then maybe, just maybe, we are in a better scenario right now.

When do we need gap? Let us look into Jesus example.

1. We need gap before a major task.

Luke 4:1 “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness”. After Jesus was baptized, He went to the wilderness to prepare for His ministry. Before we pursue a project, before we do our work, before engaging in a business, we need a gap. An article I have read mentioned that 20% of businesses fail within the first year. The reason? Not having effective business plan. Thus, before doing a major task, we need a gap to plan. As the saying goes, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”.

2. We need gap after a hard work.

Mark 6:30-32 - The apostles returned to Jesus and told Him all that they had done. And He said to them, “come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest for a while”. For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.

We need to have gap after work. We need to rest. Otherwise, we will be very inefficient in our jobs. Much worst, we will be burned out then eventually quit.

3. We need gap before making decision.

Luke 6: 12-13 – In these days, He went out to the mountain to pray, and all night He continued in prayer to God. And when day came, He called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom He named apostles.

Jesus had a gap before he chose His apostles. It is then important for us to have a gap before making a decision to weigh the pros and cons so that we could make more sensible decisions.

4. We need a gap when tension begins to build up, we are provoked, we are tempted John 8: 1-7 -

Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

² And early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

³ And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

⁴ They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

⁵ Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

⁶ This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.  So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

Imagine yourself in the story. Jesus was probably enjoying a quiet morning, then here comes a crowd, bringing an adulterous woman before Him. Could you feel the tension in this scenario? But what did Jesus do? He stooped down and wrote something on the ground. Perhaps, many of us would have responded differently. We need gap when we find ourselves in a situation when we are just ready to burst out in anger or frustration..

I would want to share with you the “Cycle of Aggression”. I know we are all familiar with these. The only thing is that, we may not be aware of the names of these phases.

The Phases:

1. Build up phase – there could be flushed face, increased heart rate, clenched fist, hostile thoughts, narrowed perception.

2. Explosion – there could be verbal aggression, destructive behavior, violence.

3. Aftermath - there could be loss of family and friends, broken relationships, guilt, shame, regret, financial burden, loss of job.

On the other hand, if we would insert the gap in this cycle, it could potentially lead to lesser destruction. May I share with you the “Redefined Cycle of Aggression”

There would still be build up. That is one thing I am certain about because we do not live in a perfect world. But if we use the gift of gap, to analyze, to think rationally, to breathe, build up may not stop there. During the gap, we may realize that the issue is not worth our emotion, thus the build up phase may die down. However, if it does proceed to explosion and aftermath, at least, it will be less destructive. We will become more intentional in our speech and actions.

How should we spend gap? PRAY. In Philippians 4:6 it says” do not be anxious about anything, but IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”.

Aside from saying a prayer, we can use the gaps to:

We are currently in a gap. From the time Jesus ascended to heaven to judgement day. We could use this gap. 2 Peter 3: 8- 9.

⁸ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

We should take advantage of this gap to be saved. We could use this gap to obey the Gospel of Jesus. Or we can use this gap to save others by sharing to them about Jesus.

How to obey the Gospel?

Hear the truth – John 6:45

Believe the truth of Christ – 1 Cor15:1-4

Repent of sins – Acts 2:38

Confess faith in Christ - Acts 8:37

Be baptized – Gal 3:27

Be faithful – Rev 2:10

I hope and pray that you have been inspired with my sharing today. If you would like to know more about Jesus and use this gift of gap to the fullest, please touch base with us at Golden Gate Church of Christ in San Francisco. You can also watch us at Facebook live in My Angel Radio every Friday and Saturday at 11 am PST.