Six degrees of separation is the theory that everyone is six or fewer steps away, by way of introduction, from any other person in the world. If you think about it hard enough and are creative enough, you can find a way to connect yourself to anyone: your favorite sports figure, your favorite movie star, even a President.

I've been known to tell a few stories from time to time about how I have connections to some famous (or not so famous) people. I sat next to Franco Harris on an airplane once. During the 1970's he was a running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he helped them win four Super Bowls. He is the biggest man I have ever seen in real life. We had a short conversation, but I was too nervous to ask for his autograph.

When I was in high school, I went to the same church as Steve Largent, who was a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks at the time. My friend used to babysit for him. Every Sunday we would end the service by holding hands across the pews and singing a song. One Sunday, my mom was sitting next to Steve and got to hold his hand, which was in a cast from an injury, as we sang the song. Both Mr. Harris and Mr. Largent are now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In high school I swam against Mary Wayte in the 200 meter freestyle. She won. It really was no contest. She beat the rest of us by two lengths of the 25 meter pool. In 1984 she was on the U.S. Olympic team and won the gold medal. So, I can say that I swam against an Olympian.

When I was in seminary I had a friend who served on the grounds crew for the Texas Rangers. From time to time, I was invited to sit with the grounds crew in their designated section under the outfield stands. The owner of the team at that time was George W. Bush, who later became the President of the United States. That is how I am connected to a former President.

But, here is my favorite "six degrees of separation" story. My sister had a friend in college named Tammy. Tammy went to high school with Brad Pitt and was his date at a school dance. I think it was senior prom, but I can't be sure. When my sister got married, Tammy was one of her bridesmaids. So, I was in a wedding with the person who went to a high school dance with Brad Pitt. Isn't that impressive?

As I have spent some time on the road this past week, God has brought some things to my attention. I've seen a small group of deer standing by the side of the highway in the early morning light. I saw a hawk swoop down to catch a mouse or other small animal from the median of the interstate. I was amazed that he could even see the animal against the brown grass.

I was in awe of the moonlight as it glistened off the snow, covered fields one night. Then I looked up to see a million stars twinkling in the night sky. I heard about a friend's brother who is battling cancer and undergoing chemo treatments, and the tumor is finally beginning to shrink. Another friend emailed me to say that her sister has returned to church after a very long time of being away.

What better person to strive to be connected to than the Creator of the universe? He hung the stars in place and gave order to the galaxies, but also designed the smallest details of everything  around us. He knows where we are at all times and the struggles we are facing. Even though He created the vastness of the heavens, He knows our name.

In church on Sunday we sang a song that was new to me. The words spoke directly to the things I had been pondering all week. It's a song by Paul Baloche called "The Same Love". These are the words to the chorus:

The same love that set the captives free
The same love that opened eyes to see
Is calling us all by name
You are calling us all by name
The same God that spread the heavens wide
The same God that was crucified
Is calling us all by name
You are calling us all by name

How amazing to be reminded that Almighty God knows us. There are no degrees of separation for those who follow Christ. Romans 8:38-39 tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. We don't have to think hard or get creative about how we are connected to Him. He took away all the separation through His death and resurrection.

If, in the future, I ever cross paths with Franco Harris, Steve Largent, Mary Wayte, George W, Bush or Brad Pitt, they will not know who I am or know my name. They do not really know me, no matter how hard I might try to convince people that we are somehow connected. But, Almighty God does know me. He knows my name and everything about me. In fact, He knew all those things before I knew them myself. Now, that's a story worth telling.

Serena Butler

Illinois WMU Executive Director

(217) 391-3143