On Why Stephen Colbert is Smarter Than Me

Any long-time reader of my blog knows that I love Stephen Colbert and The Colbert Report.

At least, until he unintentionally makes me think.

I've been doing my best the last few months (years, really, but months especially) to not think. I already have to think about school and homework and church and my family and friends and my future and my past and cheese and Facebook. I don't really want to have to truly, deeply and intentionally have to think about politics. And how my actions are important. And how the actions of others who have political sway are important. It would be significantly more appealing to me to sit in my house watching Comedy Central on my computer and translating Jonah instead of seeing how much of a craphole this country is in and how millions domestically and abroad are in need and suffering and acknowledging how little difference I am making. That would be much better for me. I don't feel as responsible then.

However, as per usue, God refuses to let this happen. Which is why I've spent the better part of 2 months ignorning Him too.

Watching The Colbert Report today got to me. Stephen has been granted his SuperPAC and on the show posed the question to a political analyst - what to do with that money? It came down to: what does the SuperPAC stand for? Colbert challenged the members of the SuperPAC, of which I am one, to go to his website and help him decide what the members of the PAC stand for in order for him to figure out what to do with the money he receives.

Well, as a loyal member of the Colbert Nation, I went to the website to give my $.10 (figuratively, not literally (please, like I'm gonna give .10. It costs more than that just for the debit transaction)). As I read the phrase "What do you stand for?" it hit me that I don't know.

I don't know what I stand for.

I mean, I have values. I love Jesus. I love people. I love the Bible. I want people to know about Jesus and know His truth.

And I think that's good. Jesus wants me to do that.

But I don't think that just loving someone with my words is enough. I say I love people, but am I advocating for anyone? Do I spend ANY amount of time or money or even clearly thought out verbiage on anything remotely resembling ACTION?

The sad answer is no. I don't. And I have to think that means that I don't know what I stand for. Not completely on a religiously-inclined basis. But on a social one.

Do I stand for equality and social rights? Do I stand for fair trade? Do I stand for more available access to education and jobs? Do I stand against poverty and discrimination? If so, how do I do that? And how do I put all of those things into practice alongside, intertwined with my Christian faith?

Stephen Colbert, you are smarter than me. For a whole litany of reasons, but right now because you're asking a community of people to determine what they stand for and then to prove it. You may be doing it for a comedy bit, but it hit home with me. I'm annoyed by that.

I may be smart enough to do it. But I'm tired enough to not want to.

And that's the Word.