Leading Through the Mess: What to Do When the Gap Finds You

Right now, I’m surrounded by stories—from business owners and team leaders to friends and clients.
Some are experiencing incredible victories—record quarters, new contracts, surprising favor.
Others are in crisis—betrayal, burnout, conflict, failure, legal battles, offense.

Same marketplace. Very different stories.

And in each one, I keep asking:
What’s my role here?
Do I step in? Stay silent? Pray? Act?
Where does courageous leadership stop, and control begin?

Here's What the Holy Spirit Is Whispering:

“I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land…”
— Ezekiel 22:30

God is still looking—not for professionals, but for present leaders.
Not those who can solve everything, but those willing to show up, stand up, and carry His heart into messy situations.

This is the core of Heaven in Business: partnering with God at work, especially when it’s not clean or easy.

In Business Terms, Standing in the Gap Looks Like:

Interceding when your team wants to complain.

Owning responsibility when something breaks on your watch—even if you didn’t cause it.

Protecting others’ reputations when gossip could get you ahead.

Forgiving fast so your heart stays clear and your leadership stays sharp.

Confronting gently instead of letting conflict fester.

It’s not just leadership—it’s kingdom leadership.
And it’s exactly what Jesus modeled.

Who Stood in the Gap? Who Stepped Back?

Let’s learn from a few marketplace and national leaders in Scripture:

Jesus: The Leader Still Standing in the Gap

“He always lives to make intercession for them.”
— Hebrews 7:25

Even now, Jesus is interceding for your team, your board, your spouse, your accusers. And for you.

He’s not tired. He’s not bitter. He’s not done.

That means you’re not leading alone. You’re not praying alone. And you’re not responsible for fixing every mess—you’re called to lead through it with His heart and perspective.

Encounter: Love. Forgiveness. Commissioning.

In this season, I’ve had a fresh moment with Him:

I felt His love for people I wanted to avoid.

I received His forgiveness for things I said in frustration.

And I sensed a new commissioning:

“Lead like Me. Stand in the gap like I do. Let Me flow through you.”

Take Action:

Ask these three questions:

1. Where in your business or leadership sphere is there a gap—a breakdown, a conflict, a crisis?

2. What would it look like for you to stand in that gap with God’s heart?

3. Who do you need to pray for, advocate for, or forgive—not because they deserve it, but because He is praying for them too?

Want to Dive Deeper?

Read Love Does by Bob Goff – a masterclass in loving generously and leading freely. Amazon.com/Love-Does-Discover-Secretly-Incredible/dp/1400203759

Read Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg – to rediscover what it means to follow Jesus closely, even at work. Amazon.com/Walking-Dust-Rabbi-Jesus-Jewish/dp/0310330009/

If this resonated, drop a comment or DM— Let’s raise up a generation of leaders who partner with God at work. 

Final thought:
The world is full of problems.
But God is still looking for someone who will stand in the gap.
In business. In culture. In leadership.

Will that be you?