Probably one of the most famous movie series of all time is Rocky. There is a Particular scene in Rocky II that has made a huge impact in my life and in my marriage. Additionally, this one movie scene has helped me to better understand people and our need for one another. In Rocky II a beautiful love story begins between Rocky and a very shy introverted woman named Adrian. They appear to be opposites, but Rocky is drawn to Adrian like a magnet and sees through to her inner and external beauty. As the story goes, Rocky and Adrian had been dating for a while, and Adrian’s cranky self-pitied brother Paulie, is confronting Rocky with some questions. The two are in a meat locker where Pauli works.
Paulie: You like her?
Rocky: Sure, I like her.
Paulie: What’s the attraction?
Rocky: I dunno… she fills gaps.
Paulie: What’s “gaps”?
Rocky: I dunno, she’s got gaps, I got gaps, together we fill gaps.
This is such an honest, vulnerable, and yet so profound of a statement coming from Rocky Balboa—a guy who is tougher than nails. Others would say that having gaps or needing help from another in order to be more complete would be a sign of weakness. After all, we have all heard phrases like, “Trust in yourself, others will let you down.” Or “A strong and confident person does not need help from others.” Another common one is, “You have to help yourself in life or people will take advantage of you.” You may have also heard the saying that there are two types of people in this world, thinkers and doers. Personally, I feel like I might fit into this one. However, I think I’m both—not one or the other. I think long and hard and very deeply—sometimes too deeply. But I also tend to try to do everything myself without asking for help, and sometimes that has caused unnecessary struggles. Just sayin… But the truth is, we all need each other. God created us in that way.
1 Peter 4:10 says, As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as stewards of Gods varied grace.
This very day, marriages are failing all around us because one or both individuals are so focused on what they are not getting from the other. But marriage was never intended to be focused just on what you get. Many believe that everything in marriage—to include giving and taking—is meant to be 50/50. But what happens when one is struggling and needs help? Emotionally or physically challenged? What happens after the honeymoon when the kids are screaming, and the bills need to be paid? No, marriage as the primary example of healthy relationships, should exemplify that we are created to be givers and not takers. I have been using marriage as the primary example here, but the same principle holds true in all our relationships. The fact is, we need each other, and we all have gaps in our lives. Once again, God has designed us to be givers in this life; not takers, and to help fill the gaps of each other.
Heb 10:24-25 says, Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love. This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing, because we need each other! In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning. TPT (See also Philippians 2:4, and Mark 10:8)
Ultimately God is the one who fills our gaps, but we must always remember that Gods work is most always done through us, His people. Let’s all choose to be gap fillers today.
One last thought…We are not called to point out the gaps in others; but we are called to help fill those gaps.
Bless you friends as you continue to seek and honor Jesus in all that you do.
Blessed by the Best,
Mark
P.S. Happy Valentine’s Day to my awesome and incredible gap filling wife, Tracy. I can wholeheartedly say that I would not be the man that I am today if it were not for you Trac. You are consistently filling my gaps. I am so blessed. I love you!
See You in the River 