A few years back I read Love Does, by Bob Goff, which happens to include Bob Goff’s phone number. He seemed like someone who could help me find God’s will for my life, so I started thinking about giving him a call.
Will Bob Goff Actually Answer?
Bob also authored another great book, Everybody Always. He’s the Honorary Consul for the Republic of Uganda, and the founder of Restore International. Despite these impressive titles, the most memorable detail about Bob is at the end of his books. As I mentioned, he includes his personal cell phone number and tries to answer everyone’s calls.
I wasn’t so sure about that.
Then I had my first conversation. I just dialed Bob Goff’s phone number. And he answered. I’ll tell you what I asked and how he answered in a bit. But first, some backstory as to why I asked my question in the first place.
Maybe you’re like me—tired of making so many choices. It’s relentless. They just keep coming every day. Hundreds of decisions screaming with urgency. Some crucial and life-altering, some menial.
You know them well. Where should I eat for dinner? Should I change phone companies? Who should I marry? What should I do with my life?
But maybe it’s not the number of decisions that’s so daunting. Maybe, if you’re like me, it’s our perspective that’s in play. I’ll explain.
Technology has placed information at our fingertips 24/7. We’ve become avid researchers of everything and anything because, well, we can. And consequently, we’ve become afraid to make choices without all the facts.
In fear of choosing poorly, we prefer to scour the Internet to inform our every decision. We bring this same fear into our relationship with God. What if I make the wrong choice? What if I do something that wasn’t God’s will for me? What if I’m not good enough for Him?
So there I sat, phone in hand, asking my question to the Bob Goff. “Bob, how do you differentiate God’s will for your life from your own selfish ambitions?” He was driving in Los Angeles traffic when he cut right through all the noise in my head with a gentle reminder leading me to this freeing thought.
Bob Goff Helped Me Find Purpose
I felt I could almost hear him smiling over the phone. His simplicity seemed so obvious, and yet I’d allowed myself to over-complicate the question. Through a series of humorous stories and antics that I couldn’t do justice in retelling if I tried, he came to his main point. At the end of the day, Jesus wants your heart. That’s all He’s after.
Oh yeah. God wants me, not perfection in my every decision. It’s a lesson I hope I never again forget.
So when you’re finding yourself overwhelmed with decision fatigue, I’d suggest taking Bob’s advice and stop worrying about every decision that stands before you. At the end of the day, Jesus wants your heart. That’s all He’s after.
Oh, and if you’re looking for Bob Goff’s phone number, you’re going to have to read his book.
