There is a common misconception that to be followed around by the paparazzi implies that you have to always wear cutting-edge fashion, be on your best behavior, be caught doing “right” things, and always have big sunglasses on and a Hollywood-set smile pasted on your face.  I am here to admonish this misconception and present the real truth and reason why you would WANT to be stalked and followed by the paparazzi, and to hopefully shake up this generation of paparazzi targets.

Why would I even be thinking about something so seemingly superficial in the midst of a time where natural disasters, war, ungodliness, and political mistrust are at an all time high? Well simply put, because it’s the perfect time to be an individual with an unbridled passion for … quite frankly, anything.

It’s interesting to reflect on how my interest was first piqued about the paparazzi and the role of media in general.  For the record, I am not inherently a celebrity gossip follower, or even a fan of reality shows of any kind.  At the grocery checkout lane, I’d rather read the ingredients of a candy bar or an energy drink, than get bamboozled by any of the magazine covers that scream for attention and endless $’s by announcing the latest break-ups, make-ups, failed drug tests or craziness that sells millions of issues a week.  I do however, like to listen to talk radio and read fashion magazines that occasionally feature the same said, crazy celebrity spotlight individuals that the other magazines feast on.

On this particular day, it was the Monday after the Super Bowl and I was listening to the very opinionated commentary about the Green Bay Packers win, and specifically, their over-night sensation quarterback named Aaron Rodgers.  I admit, I had been sucked in by the Cinderella story that was Aaron Rodgers; his glory days at Cal, being pegged as a top 10 draft pick and not being drafted until late in the first round, and then going to the Green Bay Packers, where another crazy spotlight ego-maniac QB resided.  To win the Super Bowl with such heart-wow, a new American hero was born.  And then, as quickly as he won my vote as MVP, he lost it.  What did he say or do, you must be wondering? Nothing. That’s exactly it. He stood for nothing.

The ESPN commentators were trading highlights, stats, history, potential endorsements, monetary bonuses-everything related to Aaron Rodgers and the game of football. Then they began to compare him to the previous Super Bowl Champion QB, Drew Brees, and how great Drew Brees is and his family, and his charities and what he believes in and stands for.  And one commentator said to the other, “What does Aaron stand for? Do we know anything about any charities he supports or anything that he has founded?” The other commentator sadly responded, “No, I have no idea what-if anything-he supports.”  That was all they could say about the character, the beliefs, the man who was Aaron Rodgers, “I have no idea.”  Now this is where it becomes irrelevant whether or not he has a passion outside of football, or if he spends every free moment he has donating his time and talents to a charity, a third-world country, or an organization that mentors under-privileged kids; no one knew about it, and his 15 minutes of fame have come. And gone.

The key to being prepared for unexpected fame, or the paparazzi, is the condition of your heart.  It does not even require that anyone actually know the condition of your heart personally, because it will spread like gossip-wildfire.  What does matter is that your heart has a passion and an unquenchable fire for something other than yourself.  The Bible says that what is done in secret will be rewarded by our Father in heaven (Matthew 6:18), and I believe that means the condition of your private, innermost part of you: your heart.  Our unique design makes it possible for us to cultivate a heart of passion for just about anything, and our individuality is what allows us to express that passion and bring others alongside, who share the same heart.  What makes us powerful beyond our understanding is a God-given calling and equipping, that allows that passion to be manifest into action and have a consequent reaction to our initial passion.  It’s what makes us paparazzi-worthy; our passion, our calling, and our willingness to go beyond ourselves.

It’s what Aaron Rodgers forgot to tend to while he was getting ready for the biggest game of his career.  I think he needs to fire his publicist and find himself some “others-focused” type of friends.  It’s really not that complicated either.  It all comes back to, what IS your passion?  What makes you feel indignant or cause you to be brokenhearted? What injustice causes your blood to boil or compels you to donate when you never have? What challenges your child’s learning ability or your aging parent’s welfare? It’s ok to be moved by somebody else’s passion until you find your own, but eventually, you are going to have to drive a stake into the ground and commit to yourself to make a difference or to become a part of the difference that generates change.

The best part about passion is that once you have identified it, it becomes a part of who you are as a person and evolves and goes with you always.  It’s contagious and compelling, and it is usually life-changing for you, and others.  It’s what made Bill Gates stop being the richest man in America-because he became others-focused and began giving his money where his passion is.  Never mind that his wife is credited with much of his personal change and selflessness; he attached his train to somebody with passion. Now he has to hide from the media, so that they don’t know what he’s up to until it’s over.  He now has passion that makes him paparazzi-worthy, and he is using his platform of fame, brains and fortune to make a greater impact.

That’s what I’m calling out in all of us: a passion that is cultivated in the quiet places of our hearts, so when we are given an unexpected opportunity, or granted a God-given platform, we have something to say that goes beyond ourselves and impacts change, nations, and generations.  When we are introduced or announced, the commentators don’t have to fumble around wondering what we stand for or believe in, it’s just innate in who we are.  Our passion and our success are inter-woven into our identity, and any success or notoriety is only a catalyst to reveal who we really are. We are called and equipped to make a difference.

At this very moment, I’m actually in the process of trying to zero-in on my exact passion, and I will say, I have my big sunglasses ready, and my smile, well, it’s just a sign that I’m just about ready for the paparazzi; I’m certain that any commentator will not be at a lack of words to describe my calling, passion, and condition of my heart. Yup, it’s “others-focused” and ready to change my little corner of the world.  How about you, do you know your passion (and where your big sunglasses are)?

Marsia Van Wormer

View More Articles By This Author