Why So Much Goff? 

You may be wondering why I have been on such a Bob Goff Kick lately. 

3 of the last 4 books I have reviewed were written by Bob Goff, which includes this review.  

Click here for my reviews of Love Does and Everybody Always 

I'm preparing to go to an event this week where Bob Goff is the headlining speaker, so I wanted to get caught up on what Bob has written. 

I also find Bob's easy going and practical approach to the Christian life simultaneously refreshing and challenging. 

Undistracted

This review is on Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose. Rediscover Your Joy. by Bob Goff.

I believe one of the great lies that we Christians believe is that we should do every available good thing in front of us.  

God has designed us for best not simply good. 

In Undistracted, Bob Goff does an exceptional job of challenging us to follow Jesus in pursuing what is best not simply what is good and in front of us.  

Here are a couple of quotes that really struck out to me reading through this book. 

Misunderstanding Love 

In chapter 16, Bob shares his own misunderstanding of love and its purpose. 

"When I did things, my parents approved of, they gave me love and affirmation, because they were terrific parents. It felt great as it was intended to. When I behaved in a way that they didn't approve of I made up a story in my mind that they would need to withdrawal love from me. They didn't mean for me to feel this of course, because they were great parents, but I learned a couple of things from the way I perceived things as a young man. First, I crafted a story for myself that defined love as something that would be given and withdrawn to control my behavior. I convinced myself that love couldn't be completely trusted. It wasn't an extension of safety and acceptance but a tool to control conduct. Second and even more insidiously, I became convinced that being left emotionally alone was a possibility in a relationship. It wasn't true for me because my parents loved me, but it felt true. I concluded at a young age that it could happen to me, and it could happen with little or no notice. Kind of like getting lost at an amusement park or being dropped off on a corner far from home. I had a deep and abiding sense that without notice or warning, I would be separated and alone in my life and this belief shaped the way I approached relationships for the next several decades. What do you think I would tell myself if I could go back? I think I would explain to that young boy that his parents loved him and that he didn't need to feel so insecure. I would tell him that he would fail sometimes too. He will just find new and different ways to do it. I would remind him to be for his kids what he needed from others. I would confirm for him that God will never leave or reject him." 

Perhaps you can relate to Bob's emotional experience. I know that I relate. 

The type of love God and many of our parents gives is unconditional, but when we fail and are disciplined or suffer the consequences of our actions and failure, we often feel as if that love is taken away.  

Like Bob, I have spent a great deal of my life attempting to manage other people's love for me rather than reveling in the abundant love God gives. 

However, being focused on living in the grace of God frees you from fear because perfect love casts out fear. 

Plan for Failure 

Since failure is inevitable and God doesn't stop loving us when we do fail, what do we do next? 

Closing out chapter 17, Goff shares this pearl of wisdom. 

"You are going to be misunderstood. You will mess up more than a couple of things and still get more wrong. It's not going to happen once in a while. It will happen constantly, so figure out in advance what you'll do when it happens next and... the freedom you gain will be worth it" 

This one has been difficult for me to implement in my life. I think it has been so difficult because early in my life, I developed a plan. The problem is that my old plan doesn't work. Explaining myself, thought process and motives, doesn't move me forward and explaining doesn't correct any wrong that I may have done. 

Reflection, apology (if warranted), and action are what I am striving to replace explanation with. As a result of reading this book, "Reflection, apology, and action" are what I am committed to implementing when I fail. 

How have you responded to failure in the past? 

And how do committing respond to failure in the future? 

When you and I plan for the fact that we will fail respond strategically, we are protected from being diverted and distracted. 

Designing an Environment for Success 

One of the most difficult aspects of staying focused and Undistracted is implementing boundaries and restricting the access others have to your life.  

During His earthly ministry, Jesus did not allow everyone equal access to Him. Following Jesus requires us to say no to people so that we can say yes to God. At times it even requires us  

"And for Pete's sakes, quit hanging out with people who are scaring you off the scent of your beautiful and lasting purpose." 

If you do not guard your focus, no one else will. 

Bob Goff did a spectacular job of combining faith, humor, and intentionality to inspire us to live a life for Jesus that is Undistracted and focused on what we are made to do.     

I highly recommend reading this book, especially if you have been easily distracted from your purpose. 

Get Your Copy of Undistracted

To get your own copy of Undistracted by Bob Goff click on any of the links below based on the format that works best for you. 

Hardback
Paperback
Kindle 
Audible
Audio CD 

Thank You

Thank you for reading this review. Any purchase you make using one of the links provided in this blog will grant Dan Hendon Enterprises a small portion of your purchase price at no additional cost to you.