Darren was a great athlete in high school and excelled on the football field, but had few friends.  His quirky mannerisms and unique personality often left him alone and the object of classroom jokes.  Darren rarely paid attention to the schoolyard antics and jokes.  He was drawn to something bigger.

While developing his talent and learning how to master the mechanics of being a wide receiver, a small collection of college coaches began contacting his high school coach.  His raw talent and abilities were labeled – freakish – and he was quickly marked as a phenomenon.  Well before the end of his high school career, he was offered multiple opportunities to continue playing the game at a higher level.

The college years passed by quickly as Darren’s notoriety began to swell.  He was regularly featured on major sports networks and sports talk shows about his talents.  Professional scouts from teams across the NFL were knocking on Darren’s door, guaranteeing him a starting position on their team.  Darren signed the contract and began a meteoric rise.  His name spread like wildfire and abilities like his, had never been witnessed before.  The celebrity of “Darren” had captured the attention of the world.

Darren’s hometown began naming streets after him, honoring days of the year for him, and claiming him as “their son”.  Townspeople spoke of Darren to outsiders as if they knew him personally.  After all, they shared a hometown with Darren, which gave them prominence.  However, Darren only visited his hometown once per year to host a golf tournament for the charity his uncle established 20 years earlier.  People who once ridiculed Darren and his strange mannerisms now paid obscene amounts of money just play 18 holes of golf with him in the tournament.  Darren used his fame to help the hungry families in his community.

The seemingly sudden rise to fame was intensified by Darren’s peculiar personality which endeared him to everyone who followed professional football.  Books were written, movies were made, and stories were endlessly spun into folklore over Darren’s life.  The attention never really distracted him, nor did the fame alter a single part of his personality.  Darren was simply… Darren.  His closest friends have attested for years that he hasn’t changed one part of himself due to the success and fame.  His best friend will be the first to proclaim his authenticity, and his friends will readily confess that Darren is even more genuine and caring once you get to know him.

Isn’t it easy to know about someone who has wide notoriety?  Endless facts, stories, and anecdotes surround even the most marginally known individuals.  It’s interesting to see how many people claim a certain affinity for those select few athletes who remain consistent through their career – they become endeared to them.  It’s easy to know all about someone… and easier yet when we have acquaintances with people who “personally” know celebrities.

What about God?  Do you know him simply as a celebrity, or do you know Him like a close friend?  Unlike many celebrities and heroes, God isn’t not locked away behind the lights of the media.  He’s not elusive and somewhere “over there”.  God is near you and lives through sacrificial love we experience through the example of Christ – right now.

Faith in God has very little to do with the acknowledgement of Him as a historical figure.  Anyone can read God’s bio anytime they like (The Bible).  Even James, the brother of Jesus, tells us the demons know God – more than celebrity…. but they know God enough to tremble at His name.

Don’t get lost in the glittery production of faith and “talk” about God so much that you miss his unique personality.  My hope is that we help everyone remain aware that knowing God is much deeper than knowing “about God”.  It grieves my soul to see so many friends who keep God at arms length simply by going no further than reading His book and listening to stories from friends who “know Him”.

God is quite approachable. God is love.  Loving others the way Jesus Christ loved you… is how you know God personally.  The book and the many stories are great! But the personal experience and conversation with Him is even better.