In his entertaining and inspiring follow-up to the New York Times bestselling phenomenon Love Does, Bob Goff takes readers on a journey into the secret of living without fear, constraint, or worry. The path toward the liberated existence we all long for is found in a truth as simple to say as it is hard to do: love people, even the difficult ones, without distinction and without limits.
Driven by Bob’s trademark storytelling, Everybody, Always reveals the lessons Bob learned--often the hard way--about what it means to love without inhibition, insecurity, or restriction. From finding the right friends to discovering the upside of failure, Everybody, Always points the way to embodying love by doing the unexpected, the intimidating, the seemingly impossible. Whether losing his shoes while skydiving solo or befriending a Ugandan witch doctor, Bob steps into life with a no-limits embrace of others that is as infectious as it is extraordinarily ordinary. Everybody, Always reveals how we can do the same.
Published by Struik Christian Media, and available from leading bookstores and online booksellers
Tell us a bit about yourself:
Belinda Van De Griendt is a 40-something wife, homeschooling mom, and grandmother. She serves with her husband, Bjorn, as a deacon at City Base Church in Springs, and also works as the church secretary. Belinda is passionate about the Word of God, and about helping others to grow in their spiritual lives through teaching the Word. Belinda has a BPrimEd from Wits and a Bachelor of Theology from UNISA.
What drew you to read this book:
The subtitle: "Becoming love in a world full of setbacks and difficult people"... This really resonated with me. I know that the Word says that people will know that we love God by the way that we love others; and I love "nice people", like my children, my pastor's wife, the guy who makes the cappuccinos at Mugg and Bean ... But the guy who cuts in front of me at the robot and nearly hits my car? The politician who steals taxpayer's money through fraudulent tenders? The grimy car guard who harasses me every time I go to the supermarket? How do I love them? And how would THEY measure my love for the Lord?
What impact did this book have:
Bob Goff shares stories from his own journey of learning to BE LOVE, even to what he calls "creepy people", with such humour that I laughed out loud, while at the same time saying "ouch!" because I realise that the Holy Spirit was nudging me (not to gently) to go and do likewise. Reading this book made me realise: "It really is that simple" - we don't need a big plan, or 10 green lights in a row, or a 6 week course in how to love people; we don't need God to show us a flashing sign that says "Love this person"; and we certainly don't need to go far or try hard to find people who are hungry or thirsty or lonely or imprisoned. To live like Jesus wants me to live isn't complicated - but it's time to stop making excuses, stop playing safe, and start DOING!
In a paragraph, what is the main piont:
"Jesus said if we did kind things for the lonely and hurting and isolated in the world we were really doing it for Him" (pg. 143). Most of the time, we're just too busy, or too distracted to truly see the people around us Jesus sees them - as His precious children - even the ones who look and act so differently than He did. This book encourages us to stop making loving others complicated, and just start!
Who would benefit from reading:
Anyone who is like me - guilty of avoiding people I don't understand, or who look/think/act differently to me - but who wants to have a heart like Jesus, will benefit from reading this book. Bob Goff's authenticity makes the challenging concept of this book inspiring and exciting, and it's an excellent read for anyone who desires to be part of the change they want to see in the world.
Star Rating?:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐