Ernie The Elephant (And Me And You)

I ran across Ernie the elephant in the same manner I imagine most of us run across things on the Internet, namely while looking for something else.  Exactly what it was I sought when Ernie crossed my path slips my mind at the moment, a good indication it wasn’t all that important.  It does warrant mention there was no sign of a companion piece named Bert anywhere.  But I digress; back to Ernie.

The product description for Ernie states he is a praying elephant.  Alas, this particular Ernie doesn’t have a prayer, for the one he originally made whenever his tummy was mashed (not my words, so don’t blame me) has since gone silent.  Still, he at least looks like he’s praying.  Sort of.  To be honest, he looks more like he’s asleep than praying.  I’d ask him which it is, but he doesn’t give much indication of being responsive.

He does appear quite serene.  Self-satisfied, perhaps.  But above that, asleep.  Best advised to not waste my time and let sleeping… er, praying Ernie lie.

Betcha know where this is headed.

It’s difficult to envision a more perfect symbol of not only the Republican party today, but the conservative movement in America as a whole than Ernie the sleeping prayerless despite striking a pose that could be prayerful but looks to be more self-satisfied elephant.  Bit of a run-on summation, but accurate nonetheless.

We — and please note the usage of the inclusive — are about as effective in not only communicating but practicing our message as the pimples on a warthog’s butt are in its beautification efforts.  We talk a great game to each other.  We’re real good at the Mutual Admiration Society sing-alongs.  We’ve refined to a high art form the gift of preaching to the choir while accepting a generous love offering from the congregation.  But are we accomplishing anything?  Anything at all?

Today’s conservative world is an exact parallel to the world of contemporary Christian music back when I was actively covering it as a journalist in the late ’80s and early to mid ’90s.  The superduperstars were the ones best at slinging the slogans.  They made everyone in the audience feel good.  They pumped you up to a helium high that would gradually deflate until the next concert or album by the next slogan slinger would recharge the room and you with it.  Look at me, everyone!  I’m making a stand!  Don’t you see me here at the concert with my hand in the air waving hi to God as I roll along with the latest rockin’ praise chorus?  What more proof do you need?

Meanwhile, the world needed Jesus and we weren’t bothering to tell them.  The world needed artists capable of expressing a world view founded in and shaped by Christ, and when we had them we didn’t support them.  The world needed Daniel Amos.  We gave it DeGarmo & Key.

Now, I liked DeGarmo & Key.  Still do.  They were great at what they did.  But when it was time to share your faith and combat the myth of Christianity being the religion of zealous zombies with a cotton candy soundtrack, trying to use arena rock praise songs as your weapon was the ultimate in bringing a knife to a gun fight.

Instead of praising and supporting those who excel at giving tongue baths to ourselves and each other, shouldn’t we be looking for people who can actually communicate with those who hold differing views?  Instead of praising and supporting the ranters and haters who automatically assign everything Obama and associates say and do to the lowest depths of hell because Obama is the antichrist, shouldn’t we be looking for people who can actually address the issues with sober analysis and thorough research?  Instead of praising and supporting who or whatever comes down the pike regardless of their spiritual and/or moral bankruptcy because they assure us right is always right in a pseudo-amusing fashion, shouldn’t we be looking for followers of Christ ready and willing to share not only conservative views but the Gospel?

What are our priorities?  Are they what they should be?  Is not wishing to appear “fanatical” more important than proclaiming the Good News of Jesus crucified and risen?  Is currying favor more important than communicating His love?  What is more important, politics or the Prince of Peace?

The imitation of Christ all who believe are called to perform doesn’t live in self-help groups or a social structure where everyone helps themselves to each others candy as they all sing together about what good little boys and girls they are.  It is deeds, not words as it extends the hand of kindness, compassion and care to those just as likely to spit on it or slap it away as grasp it.  Yet it extends the hand nonetheless.  Why?

It follows the lead of the One with nail-pierced hands.

Conservatism today is failing because it is failing God.  It is time we stop amusing ourselves and each other.  It is time we start engaging our opponents not with loathing and a sneer but rather love and a smile, remembering that we like they are but sinners saved by grace.  Our current leaders, be they politicians or pundits, aren’t getting the job done.  We need to get over ourselves, get off of our happy selves and start promoting those who put Christ first, letting everything else flow from the only position where there is true strength and wisdom: kneeling at the foot of the Cross.  Until then, we will continue to be Ernie the sleeping prayerless despite striking a pose that could be prayerful but looks to be more self-satisfied elephant.

And we will continue to fail.