Love Does....

On the recommendation of lots of friends I am finally reading Love Does by Bob Goff. The experiences Goff narrates are riveting, simultaneously funny and moving. It's tough to put the book down. Goff has so many crazy experiences that I want discover what else he can possibly get himself into! On refection however, each chapter is composed of simple stories of learning to see things a bit differently. Most tales are marked by a combination of Goff's relentless pursuit of his dreams (he won't take no for an answer), a consistently positive attitude, and simple acts of creative kindness. I am convinced that these three traits can be applied learned and applied by all of us.

Most of us are so trapped by our worldview, developed over a lifetime, that we cannot see beyond it. Our perspective has given us tunnel vision and we don't even realize the restriction. Not only is our worldview often limiting of what we can see, accomplish, and learn, it often hinders what we can know and learn about others. It is very difficult to try to "walk a mile" in another's shoes when we have already pigeon-holed and labeled the other person. When we attempt to don another person's footwear we usually do so already believing that we understand enough to sport those kicks with empathetic style. The effort is doomed before it begins.

During research for my dissertation I encountered the oft used phrase, "Christian Bubble" or simply "my bubble" when interviewing participants in the study. Not wanting to assume I knew what was meant by the familiar phrases, I asked each participant who used them to explain what they meant. In essence, what each described was a particular worldview. Not surprisingly a Christian Bubble was highly influenced by their faith tradition (or "ideas"), their relationships and since of place ("home"), and what they do as a result of their ideations ("practices"). As I looked back over previous interviews I noticed others had talked about similar perspectives. Many discussed leaving their "comfort zone" by venturing outside of their normal country, relational circles, or religious practice. Such leavings often caused a disruption in their since of normal and opened a space for new learning to occur.

Rohr (Everything Belongs) and others have dubbed such moments as liminal. Liminal space can be created through study abroad programs, mission trips to different cultures (even within one's own country), and through classes that push students to think outside of their proverbial boxes. However, for those in my study, it took more than one disruption for sufficient liminality to occur that would produce lasting change. Students who only traveled outside of their normal culture ("home") were not prompted to change their worldviews unless that was also accompanied by an ideological disruption as well ("ideas") or an experience that felt unnatural ("practices"). In the study, the most dramatic changes involved interactions with people that were previously deemed to be "different."

It seems that some people - even those who realize that they live in a "bubble" (whether a Christian Bubble or some other kind) - develop a keen knack for being able to see outside of their own worldview - to see beyond the bubble, to see through the boundaries that have previously bound them. I think Bob Goff is such a guy. But such people aren't born that way. They come to be more open by encountering a crisis, a moment in time and space when their worldview is challenged, their bubble is burst, and the walls of separation collapse. Such openness does not naturally remain so. As humans it seems we like comfortable little ideological packages. We like our bubbles! It takes work to remain open. It takes a recognition of separation and a desire to seek to have other encounters that challenge our sense of normal.

The tales Goff relates in Love Does demonstrate an openness to otherness that is refreshing. He lives his life in such a way as to allow for spontanaity. His stories trace the many times the desires, requests, and whims of others guide his actions. He views such openness as the key to adventure in life and as a major aspect of his Christian faith.

Richard Rohr observes that Jesus had a similar personality. Jesus was never picky about offering love and grace. Jesus was open to everyone he met - even the outcasts and down-casts of society.

"Everyone who asked Jesus to heal them or help them had somehow made the simple act of trust that he cared - and...they were healed. No other preconditions were ever required. It is really rather shocking" (Rohr, Immortal Diamond, p. 96).

Oh that we all could develop such an attitude, such an shocking openness to others! Then we would realize that just as God's love does, so should ours! It troubles me that most Christians I know only socialize with other Christians - and not just any other Christians, but other Christians who see the world in almost identical ways. Bubbles attract similar bubbles! This should not be surprising, but as followers of Jesus we are called to be different than the norm. We should each be open to people, ideas, and experiences in order to let God's love flow through us in surprising and new ways!

By the way, I recommend Goff's book. Though some of his chapters are a bit too sermonic for my tastes, on the whole it's a good read with a great inspirational message!