Gap, Set, Force

In my own reading, I often come across the idea of open and closed doors. God will open a door. God will shut a door. He will lead you to the door, and in His time, He will open it. As a firefighter, when I think about doors, I immediately think about forcible entry.

I’m not talking about forcing a door open that God doesn’t want opened. Things wouldn’t go well if we busted open the neighbor’s door instead of the one with the house on fire. I’m referring to using a systematic method to open a door that we are led to. A process we must go through before entry to access the fire and the victims beyond the door.

Forcible entry starts with a size-up of the door. What is it made of? Which direction does it swing? What kind of lock does it have? Is it even locked? "Try before you pry" It’s assessing the situation before forcing entry. It’s about understanding what you're dealing with and making informed decisions. Similarly, when we face difficulties, we must take a time to reflect on the root causes of our struggles. Are we trying to force open doors in our lives that God is asking us to approach differently?

Once the situation has been assessed, forcible entry follows a methodical approach: GAP, SET, and FORCE.

First, we create the GAP. This involves using a prying motion with our tools to create space between the door and the jamb; the space between where we are and where we want to be. In life, this gap represents taking action. It’s about putting yourself out there, having a conversation, apologizing, or whatever else starts the process, instead of standing outside, frustrated that the door is locked. Ultimately, it’s about humbling ourselves. This can feel overwhelming, especially after setbacks, but it’s essential to recognize it as the starting point for growth.

With the gap created, we next SET the tool to force. A halligan is the tool for this. It has a two-tined curved fork at one end, that can be inserted in the gap and onto the inside of the jamb. This creates a fulcrum, and the rest of the halligan is used for leverage. Depending on the size of the gap, the halligan may need to be driven into place. Often, another firefighter helps by striking the end of the halligan until the forks are set. This is a preparation move. When facing life’s challenges, we must SET our intentions. This involves aligning our hearts and minds with God’s purpose for us. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Setting our intentions with God at the center ensures we’re not just forcing our way forward but are moving in alignment with His will. Just as the firefighter helped drive the halligan, God will help us prepare for the force.

Finally, we FORCE. On a door, this is a power move. The leverage created by the halligan is aggressively applied to separate the door from the jamb, attempting to defeat the lock. Depending on the door and the number of locks, we may need to reset our tool for better leverage. When we FORCE life’s doors, it’s about taking intentional action based on the understanding we’ve gained. “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” With this strength, we can tackle the obstacles in our lives, knowing we have divine support. This is the grand gesture—submitting the resume, auditioning for the part. It’s the deliberate action. Sometimes the door doesn’t open immediately; sometimes there’s another lock. We must not lose progress but instead return to God, resetting with better leverage.

In life, it's not just about forcing our way through challenges. It's about understanding, preparing, and acting with purpose while trusting in God’s plan. Every door God brings us to has a way through, and sometimes, we just need to follow the steps laid out before us. With faith and determination, we can open doors that lead us to what God has for us, knowing full and well that that may be a wall of flames.