Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World

Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World, authored by Bob Goff, presents a blend of autobiographical anecdotes and reflections. Goff, brings his experience as an attorney and founder of the non-profit organization Love Does (formerly Restore International) to delve into themes of love, faith, action, adventure, and joyfulness. First published in 2012, Love Does is a non-fiction work in the motivational genre, leaning into Christian literature. Since its publication, it has been taken up widely by Christian study groups in the United States and is a New York Times best-seller. Goff's narratives reveal a thematic interest the transformative power of love and faith in action which will be examined in this guide.

The edition used for this guide is the 2014, Thomas Nelson, Kindle edition. Citations given are page numbers in that edition.

Summary

Love Does unfolds as a series of reflective anecdotes, ostensibly drawn from the author's life, demonstrating how he interprets and practices his Christian faith through action, including love. The book draws closely on Goff's life experience which has spanned continents and involved a variety of vocations, including attorney, diplomat, and non-profit founder. Each chapter presents a vignette from Goff's experiences that collectively argue for a proactive, joyful approach to living out one's beliefs, illustrating the overarching theme of love as action.

The book opens with Goff's musings on faith and his view that it should move one from spectatorship to active participation. Early chapters recount his youthful adventures and these stories set the stage for the central message: love is something you do, not just something you feel or believe.

Goff continues to share varied experiences, many of which demonstrate “life lessons” and exemplify what he considers as positive attitudes to overcoming challenges and embracing opportunities. The tales often pivot around unexpected turns and opportunities, spontaneity and leaps of faith, which drive the optimistic message of the book. As the book progresses, Goff increasingly uses these personal stories to discuss broader themes of faith, such as God's inclusive invitation to an adventurous life and the impact of simple acts of kindness.

Goff’s narrative technique is anecdotal, with a first-person POV that gives the book a conversational and intimate tone. The writing style is characterized by humor and simplicity, making complex theological concepts accessible. Like many non-fiction works in the motivational genre, Love Does presents a series of experiences that culminate in an epilogue highlighting an overarching message: in this case, urging individuals to take the next step in their journey of faith, whatever that may be. In its structure and style, these chapters have the role of case studies; in the context of Christian literature, they are reminiscent of parables (stories designed to teach a truth, religious principle, or moral lesson) and a modern approach to exegesis (the critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially in a religious context). Overarching themes include: Faith in Action, Personal Growth Through Love, and Adventure and Risk-Taking. Goff’s work demonstrates an effort to universalize Christian thinking, arguing that love and faith are not bound by conservative or doctrinal traditions but are dynamic natural forces that can be actively practiced by everyone.