53 pages • 1 hour read
Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Part 5Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Part 5, Chapter 24 Summary: “Lose the Cape”
Drawing from the movie The Incredibles, Goff notes the advice given to superheroes to avoid capes, which parallels Jesus’s instructions to those he healed to “Tell no one” (160). Goff suggests that in a world preoccupied with self-promotion, Jesus presents an alternative: to be “secretly incredible.” This concept defies the trend of publicizing every good act and instead calls for quiet, selfless deeds, known only to God.
Goff critiques the culture of mission statements and public declarations of faith, proposing that such things are not essential. He believes actions speak louder than words and that the true measure of one’s faith and mission is found in what one does, not what one says. He encourages living out one’s faith authentically without seeking recognition, emphasizing that the most profound impact is made through simple acts of “awesomeness” done in secrecy.
He cites the story of Judas (Thaddeus) as an example of a “just us” person, someone without fame or recognition but still significant in God’s plan. Goff sees value in the unrecognized, the humble, and the overlooked, asserting that God uses “just us” people to accomplish great things. He concludes by reinforcing the idea that true awesomeness and impact in God's kingdom come from being discreet, much like the unnamed friends who lowered a man through a roof to Jesus in the Gospels.
Part 5, Chapter 25 Summary: “God Is Good”
Don Valencia, a man Goff describes as “secretly incredible” and full of life, is remembered. Don was an adventurer, engaging in activities like mountain climbing and car racing, which made Goff feel courageous about his own challenges. Don worked as a cell biologist, freeze-drying cells to study diseases, and used the same technique on coffee, leading to the creation of freeze-dried coffee. This coffee caught the attention of Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, and Don ended up leading their research and development, creating successful products like the Frappuccino.
Later in life, Don joined the board of Agros and moved to Central America to serve the rural poor. When diagnosed with terminal cancer, Don maintained a spirit of hope and adventure, affirming “God is good, all the time” (168) in his writings. Don surprised his family at Goff's lodge, having orchestrated a clandestine trip despite his failing health. Goff presents this visit as a poignant testament to Don's undying spirit and belief in God's goodness. After Don's death, Starbucks released his freeze-dried coffee product, named VIA in his honor. Goff reflects on Don's legacy, suggesting that hikers enjoying VIA in the mountains are unknowingly connected to Don's love of life and affirmation of God's constant goodness.
Part 5, Chapter 26 Summary: “Jailbreak”
Goff’s friend Charlie decides to leave his job as an FBI agent to join Bob's organization, Restore International, to fight injustice. Together they embark on a project in Uganda, inviting former Attorney General John Ashcroft to help them engage with the Ugandan judiciary and government. Goff and Charlie visit juvenile detention centers in Uganda, finding that many youths are imprisoned without trial due to a lack of resources and legal support. They work to bring trials to the region, providing legal representation and due process. Through this process, they witness the power of forgiveness and justice in transforming lives.
Goff emphasizes the impact of prayer and God's delight in answering seemingly impossible requests. He shares how Charlie's prayer for a boy named Kevin, facing serious charges, results in an extraordinary release and homecoming. The story culminates in the physical removal of a jail door, symbolizing the liberation of the imprisoned and the unstoppable nature of justice when fueled by faith and action. Goff's uses this story as a metaphor for his belief that there are no prisons beyond God's reach and the transformative power of answering God's call to serve.
Part 5, Chapter 27 Summary: “The Story”
Adam, Goff’s son, purchases an old sailboat. Despite its many flaws, Adam sees potential in the vessel and decides to name it The Story. This name reflects the conversations they've had about living a better story with one's life. Goff contemplates his own project of recording life memories and realizes through Adam's perspective that creating memories through living in the moment is more valuable than simply documenting them. Adam's view is that he's currently living the stories others reflect on as memories, and he'd rather actively participate in life's adventures than write them down. Goff learns from his son the importance of engaging in life's whimsical experiences now, rather than waiting to record them as past events. The sailboat, despite its dilapidation, symbolizes the vessel for adventure and storytelling, encouraging a life of action and whimsy.
Part 5, Chapter 28 Summary: “Skin in the Game”
A fight with a school bully named Dale is recalled. Goff reflects on this confrontation as an early sign of his desire to stand up for the oppressed—a sentiment that aligns with Jesus's teachings on disputes. Goff critiques the tendency among Christians to engage in conflicts using religious language without embodying Christ's message of love and forgiveness. He cites his own opening of the “Christian Mediation Service” after law school, hoping to resolve disputes among believers with humility and love. His first case involved two Christians whose deep-seated animosity led Goff to propose resolving their issues through a physical fight in a boxing ring, although they never showed up.
Goff shifts to the story of Joshua in the Bible: an angelic warrior tells Joshua to be strong and courageous and not to pick sides but to choose God. Goff connects this with the call to engage in meaningful battles against injustice and to put “skin in the game” (196), rather than simply voicing opinions or aligning with causes superficially. He encourages tangible action in the fight for justice, echoing the commitment and sacrifice of Jesus. Goff's asserts that true engagement means more than just talk; it requires active, selfless involvement and a willingness to enter the messiness of real conflict for the sake of love and justice.
Part 5 Analysis
These chapters focus on the transformative power of selfless action and the impact of living authentically and courageously in alignment with Jesus's teachings, especially the theme of Personal Growth Through Love and moving increasingly into practical examples of Faith In Action taken from Goff’s own charitable activity. In “Lose the Cape,” the theme of silent servitude is prominent, where Goff encourages actions done in secrecy, known only to God. This contrasts with an egoic world that often seeks recognition for good deeds. Goff suggests that the true essence of being like Jesus is to be “secretly incredible” and to engage in acts of kindness without the need for public affirmation. This theme underlines the Christian principle that genuine faith is lived out through selfless actions rather than public declarations. The narrative propels consideration of the purity of intentions and the humility of serving without seeking a reward, embodying the biblical call to love and serve others quietly, as found in Matthew 6:1-4.
In “God is Good,” the theme of steadfast faith and the assertion of God's goodness in all circumstances is woven throughout the story of Don Valencia. As Valencia faces his own mortality, his constant affirmation of God's goodness becomes a beacon of hope and a testament to unwavering faith. His story serves as a reminder of the Christian belief in God's sovereignty and the redemptive narrative that runs through every believer's life, even in the midst of suffering. Goff’s calls for trust in God's goodness and to find joy in every circumstance. The broader biblical context within which Goff’s narrative and Don Valencia's story can be understood is exemplified by 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Believers are encouraged by Goff to maintain an attitude of joy, prayer, and thankfulness, trusting in God's goodness and sovereign plan, playing into his theme of Adventure and Risk-Taking.
Key to Faith In Action, “Jailbreak” and “Skin in the Game” share a theme of actionable faith, where belief is put into practice through a commitment to justice and the willingness to engage in the messiness of real-world problems. Goff's call to action, particularly in “Skin in the Game,” resonates with the biblical exhortation to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22), as Goff challenges his readers to move beyond passive belief and into active participation in God's work. Collectively, these chapters propose a shift from a faith characterized by words and appearances to one marked by unheralded actions, deep trust in God's goodness, and a commitment to justice. The implication for Christian thought and lived experience is clear: real transformation occurs when believers embrace the call to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, even when it means stepping into the ring to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.
Unlock all 53 pages of this Study GuidePlus, gain access to 8,800+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
