Becoming Love

The guy who works at the gym where I work out works hard. He is friendly when I check in. He is always wiping something down or walking behind the machine that scrubs the floors. He chats with folks. He smiles. I doubt he owns the place, nor do I think he get paid a higher salary for sharing his smile. But he does it. And my mornings are better not only for what he does, but how he does it.

This guy at the gym is like one of the characters in a Bob Goff book.

In Everybody Always, Bob shares his stories of becoming love...

“Jesus talked to His friends a lot about how we should identify ourselves. He said it wouldn’t be what we said we believed or all the good we hoped to do someday. Nope, He said we would identify ourselves simply by how we loved people. It’s tempting to think there is more to it, but there’s not. Love isn’t something we fall into; love is someone we become.”

There is a beautiful story in the book about Bob literally trading places with a retiring limousine driver. Bob got behind the wheel and put on the chauffeur hat. The driver stretched out in the back. Speaking words of affirmation and encouragement over him, Bob pinned a medal on the driver's chest awarding him for his years of faithful service as a driver.

"That's our job. It's always been our job. We're supposed to just love the people in front of us."

I want to become love the way Bob is becoming love.

So, I did something that I think Bob would do. On my way out of the gym the other day, I stopped at the desk to have a chat with the smily, hard-working guy. "I have to tell you, this is one of the cleanest gyms I been in. You do great work! Thanks for everything!" I wish I had a medal to award him for his hard work and care.

From the look on his face, this kind of affirmation must not be a regular occurrence for the guy at the gym. He did not appear confused nor was he weirded-out about the big guy speaking words of gratitude and affirmation. He was honored. He was proud. With a smile, "Thank you! Have a great day!"

Why do we default to withholding affirmation? Why don't we take every opportunity to become love? I hardly even look at the woman at the grocery checkout. Instead of stopping the mower I just keep walking when I see the next door neighbor. I'd rather eat alone than go out for lunch with a co-worker. This is not the behavior of someone who is becoming love.

It takes very little to say thank you, to tell people how valuable they are, to speak words of affirmation. In fact, not saying something would often take more energy. Still, we often choose it.

No more. I want to become love.

“We’ll be remembered for our love. What I’ve learned following Jesus is we only really find our identities by engaging the people we’ve been avoiding. Jesus wrapped up this concept in three simple and seemingly impossible ideas for us to follow: love Him, love your neighbor, and love your enemies.”

There is nothing earth-shattering in Bob's book. No great breakthrough or controversial theology. But it is an insightful, inspiring and beautiful read that will challenge you to become love.

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How have you been impacted by someone who is becoming love?