Have you ever had one of those books that, when you read it, you find yourself underlining key passages? And then you realize you should just underline every word because it’s THAT good and THAT insightful?
Well, that book is Bob Goff’s Love Does.
I heard Bob speak at the Willow Creek Association’s Global Leadership Summit this past August. I’d never heard of Bob before that day, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about his speech and his “just do it” approach to Christianity.
In his book Love Does, Bob explores our relationship to God — and God’s approach to a relationship with us. He explores this beautiful relationship by sharing insightful, sometimes-jaw-dropping (and fun) stories straight from his own life. Each chapter is a quick read, and each packs a powerful punch that’s delivered with a soft and humble swing.
Following a story about “selective hearing” — something to which all husbands and dads can relate — Bob talks about listening for and hearing from God about His plan for our lives.
Bob writes:
We’re God’s plan, and we always have been. We aren’t just supposed to be observers, listeners, or have a bunch of opinions. We’re not here to let everyone know what we agree and don’t agree with, because frankly, who cares? Tell me about the God you love; tell me about what He has inspired uniquely in you; tell me about what you’re going to do about it, and a plan for your life will be pretty easy to figure out from there. I guess what I’m saying is that most of us don’t get an audible plan for our lives. It’s way better than that. We get to be God’s plan for the whole world by pointing people toward Him.
Amen.
This one paragraph echoes and reinforces so many things that we’ve discussed on this site — marketing the church by being God’s hands and feet, sharing our Risen Savior with the world through our obedience to seek and love God, and to love and serve others.
- “Tell me about the God you love” — Share your story.
- “Tell me about what He has inspired uniquely in you” — God has equipped each of us with gifts and talents that we are to share with the world. It’s time to Play Ball!
- “Tell me about what you’re going to do about it” — Be the church. Do it!
Thank you, Bob Goff, for sharing your heart through this incredible book.
In addition to the Bible, what have you been reading that has been inspiring you?
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Here’s a list of various books, magazines, online resources and apps that I’ve found to be helpful for church marketing, marketing, professional and personal development.