Imagine quitting high school entirely and moving to Yosemite to start a grand adventure of climbing mountains. You stop by your friend’s house to give him the rundown of your plans. Your friend is puzzled and concerned about your plans; however, instead of telling you what a horrible idea it is or that you’re just throwing your life away, he asks you to wait for him, then returns with a tattered sleeping bag. Your friend essentially drops all his plans to join you. And his words to you before you both depart are, “I’m with you.”
This is a true story of what happened to author Bob Goff as he related it in his book ‘Love Does,’ a collection of inspiring and heartwarming stories that illustrate the power of love in action. We can also say this is a story about his friend Randy and his impact on a younger Bob. From the start, Randy selflessly stayed true to his words of being there for Bob, whether they were having fun climbing the beautiful cliffs of Yosemite, soaking in the beauty of glorious sunsets, or facing obstacles of having enough cash for food, a decent place to sleep, or a job to support them. As the days in Yosemite wore on and the job prospects were getting dimmer, Bob related how he was getting discouraged because one of his life dreams was checking into hospice care, and his list of options was getting shorter. Randy, however, continued to reiterate that he was there for Bob and spoke words of faith to him. According to Bob, having Randy during that journey was a tremendous source of encouragement.
Morgan and I were catching up with Chase Jones this month, and the topic of Bob Goff came up. I related how reading this particular part of Bob Goff’s book impacted my life and was the tipping point for how I changed my approach to life. Morgan responded that he had also read “Love Does.” Morgan continued that the chapter he enjoyed the most was when a young man, Ryan, whom Bob had never met before, asked if he could propose to his girlfriend at Bob’s home. In the chapter, Bob related how Ryan’s plans for proposing to his girlfriend became more audacious. Nothing was going to stand in the way of his love.
I can see how that particular chapter would resonate with Morgan. Morgan is one of those people I know on this planet who genuinely enjoys getting to know people and being around people. He also has a faithful servant’s heart. I can see him come alongside someone like Ryan, just like I have witnessed him help a few others.
We admire people like Randy, Bob, and Morgan. They make it look effortless to come alongside the people God has put in their paths. Bob said, “We are not here to judge and evaluate other people’s lives. We should be the ones who are cheering from the stands, waving our hands in the air, in anticipation for what comes next in someone’s life.” Paul encouraged the churches in Galatia when he wrote in Galatians 6:2 NLV: “Help each other in troubles and problems. This is the kind of law Christ asks us to obey.”
Let’s be brutally honest with ourselves. Do we consistently come alongside the people God has placed in our paths, or do we sometimes find ourselves distracted, critical, or judgmental? I’ll be the first to admit that I fall short in this area. There have been times when I’ve been so preoccupied that I’ve missed sensing someone’s need, or I’ve chosen to be judgmental. Bob’s message is clear: as people of faith, we must decide whether we want to be right in our own eyes or be like Jesus. He also added that we must choose wisely because the legacy we will leave behind depends on this.
Joshua 1:9 says, “The Lord our God is with you wherever you go.” I love this verse because it gives me hope, encouragement, and motivation to keep going, especially when I feel alone or when I’ve faced challenges, like the younger version of Bob. The gift of having someone by my side in joy, laughter, and grief is a true blessing. However, nothing compares to the intimacy of a friendship with Jesus. Even when I’m alone in the far corners of this universe, going through any situation, I can feel Him whispering to me, “I’m with you.”