ESPN has released their yearly “World Fame 100,” which is a list of the 100 most famous athletes in the world. In putting together the rankings, a proprietary formula is used to factor in how often players are searched, their endorsement dollars, and their social media followers.

Here are a few fun findings that stand out to me:

• The highest ranking NFL player is Tom Brady, but he’s 38th overall with NBA player Derrick Rose placing before him.
• Three of the top five players are soccer players.
• Ten cricket players are in the top 100, but there are no baseball players.
• Aaron Rodgers was 59th on the list, while Carmelo Anthony was 43rd.

As a worldwide society, we place value on being recognized and known by lots of people. Although most of us will never show up on a list like this, we may sometimes wonder what it would be like to be famous.

Having a desire to be known, validated, recognized, and wanted plays out in both our face to face and social media interactions with others. We want people to know who we are, what we accomplish, and who we associate with.

This isn’t all bad, and many famous people use their platform for good, but the deep longing to be known and loved can only be satisfied when we rest in the truth of being known by God.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 8:3 (AMP), “But if anyone loves God [with awe-filled reverence, obedience, and gratitude], he is known by Him [as His very own and is greatly loved].”

Jesus declares in John 10:27 (NLT), “‘My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow me.’”

I’m sure there is great satisfaction in being known worldwide as a famous athlete, but that pales in comparison to being intimately known by the Creator of the universe.

Author J.I. Packer writes in his book Knowing God, “I know Him because He first knew me, and continues to know me. He knows me as a friend, one who loves me; and there is no moment when His eye is off me, or His attention distracted from me, and no moment, therefore, when His care falters.”

Author and Pastor John Piper writes, “Deeper than knowing God is being known by God. What defines us as Christians is not most profoundly that we have come to know Him but that He took note of us and made us His own.”

Today when we have feelings of loneliness, doubt, or worry, let’s remember that as followers of Jesus we are known by the one true God. He understands what we’re going through and wants us to find our comfort and peace in Him.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I enjoy being known by others and sometimes place too much value on being recognized. Help me understand the meaning and power of the truth that I’m deeply loved and known by You. Thank you for caring enough about me to send Jesus to save me. It’s in His name I pray, Amen.