whimsical, profound love. {Bob Goff's kind.}

Recently I read "Love Does" by Bob Goff. Bob is an ordinary guy living an extraordinary life. His story invites us to step into that kind of life. You can't help but be filled with joy after witnessing his evident radiance and passion for loving others and loving life. If you haven't read his book, you're missing out on a breath of fresh air and an impactful message to say "Yes" to anything presented before you. For those of you who have read it, you know just how whimsical it is. 

As I read through the book, I jotted down quotes or sayings I felt really hit home for me. I was struck by the truth and powerfulness of some of Bob's messages and stories. Below are a few of Bob's quotes that opened my eyes to view aspects of life in a different, brighter way. I expanded on the message I received from the quotes and how they affected me. I hope the lessons drawn from Bob's life might inspire you, as they have me, to be "secretly incredible" too. 

• "I used to be afraid of failing at something that really mattered to me, but now I'm more afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter.”

This quote made me stop reading and think. Think a lot. There is such an abundance of truth in these few words. Why am I so consumed with succeeding at every little aspect of life? I am so afraid of failing. It had never crossed my mind that I might be spending all my energy trying to succeed at things that are not important or don't matter. God talked about losing our job, or even our life, if we want to find it. He doesn't want our failures to shut us down, but instead, He wants to be there to pick us up and show us the right way. 

• "I used to think I had to act a certain way to follow God, but now I know God doesn't want us to be typical."

I think so many people believe they have to be a certain person or follow a certain set of rules to follow God. I used to think so too, and still find myself trying to "impress" God. Bob proved this wrong, with his story and with his life. For Bob, it was Jesus plus nothing. As Bob said, "We could leave all of the comparisons and all of the trappings and all of the pretending of religion." Jesus told us we would know the extent of our love for God by how well we loved people. It is so sweet to know that we are not judged for how "religious" we are, but for how we show love and kindness to others. Jesus told us to leave typical behind. 

• "Grace works that way. It's a kind word from a gentle person with an impossible prayer." 

God delights in answering our impossible prayers. Bob's message was as simple as this: "And God says to ordinary people like me and you that instead of closing our eyes and bowing our heads sometimes God wants us to keep our eyes open for people in need, do something about it, and bow our whole lives to Him instead." Woah. My life was just sort of rocked after reading that.

• “I used to think you had to be special for God to use you, but now I know you simply need to say yes.” 

This was one of Bob's ongoing themes throughout his story. "Just say YES." If you are anything like me, I am terrified of many things and not brave enough to say Yes to just anything. Through reading this chapter in Bob's book, I was pushed beyond my boundaries and shown that God sometimes uses the completely inexplicable events in our lives to point us toward Him. One of my favorite lines of Bob's was this: "God is always trying to save lives, and it seems like He usually uses the least likely people to do it." 
-- Maybe that will be me and you. :) 

• "I used to think being loved was the greatest thing to think about, but now I know love is never satisfied just thinking about it." 

I enjoyed this section of the book immensely. I believe everyone, at some time, has thought about being loved and how incredible it is. I am guilty of this, definitely. It is so easy to imagine a world where you are loved by each person and love each person to the same measure. But how is that realistic? You can't love my just thinking about it. Bob nailed this point. As he shared in this story, "Being engaged is a way of doing life, a way of living and loving. It's about going to the extremes and expressing the bright hope that life offers us. Love never grows tired or is completely finished finding ways to fully express itself."

• "When we get our security from Christ, we no longer have to look for it in the world, and that's a pretty good trade." 

I would have to agree. That is a pretty good trade. It is so common to search for our security in the world- whether through people, things, or feelings. It is also exhausting constantly trying to be accepted or impress someone. Bob explains that we don't have to waste our time searching for acceptance in the world: "The cool thing about taking Jesus up on His offer is that whatever controls you, doesn't anymore. People who used to beg for acceptance are now strong enough to give love."

• "Following Jesus looks like dealing with all of the issues everyone else does and having your mind change all the time as you learn how Jesus would've dealt with things."

How true this is. I used to think that I would be "cured" of all issues if I followed God. I was SO incorrect. I have learned that when following Jesus I deal with disappointments, unexplainable joy, uncertainty, and every other emotion. However, my perception of how I should deal with these issues has changed incredibly because of Jesus. Jesus once said, "You once thought this, but now I tell you that it's different."

• "Be palms up."

Bob shares that when your palms are up toward the sky you have an easier time being calm, honest, and accurate. I didn't quite catch on to this phrase at first or its connection. But when I eventually did grasp its meaning, I couldn't let go of it. Being palms up means you have nothing to hide and nothing to gain or lose. Palms up means you are strong enough to be vulnerable, even with your enemies. Jesus was palms up, to the end. 

• "Leak what you love. Leak Jesus." 

Nothing can hold back God's love and our creativity. Love never follows the rules we try to give it, and God's love doesn't take no for an answer. So what is stopping you from leaking Jesus, from leaking God's love?

• "Simply put: love does."

Bob Goff wanted everyone to hear this one: "If I have learned one thing, it's that love does whatever is takes to multiply itself and somehow along the way everyone becomes a part of it. You know why? Because that's what love does." 
~

I was invited to dream bigger through Love Does. To imagine that God is doing something bigger than we could ever grasp. I found myself eager and inspired to say Yes next time a crazy adventure presents itself. I have been challenged to put away my list of excuses, and just do. Hopefully you found this same eagerness through Bob's unique and profound words.

I saved one of my favorite quotations of Bob Goff's with which to end: "Words spoken by kind people have the ability to endure in our lives. If you want to receive, you give. If you want to lead, you follow." Encourage others, be kind and whimsical, and use your words to change lives. Love is never stationary. Love DOES. 
:)

with love,
// Lauren //