Written on January 4, 2008

Beloved by Larry Patten

“Are you experienced?”

If you were part of my generation—baby-boomers with our social security-threatening numbers and rock-n’-roll lovin’ sensibilities—you might recall the 1967 Jimi Hendrix song about “experience.”

It was wild music and wonderful weirdness. Even though I can’t remember another line from the Hendrix song, I can still hear, in my 8-track taped, pre-iPod memory, the rockin’ wail of that question from the brilliant guitarist.

But I’m not writing these words about the good (or bad) old days of the sixties. I’m writing on January 3, and it’s as important to note that specific 2008 calendar date, as it is to ponder experience. The word is part of today’s question and soundtrack.

I imagine someone in the state of Iowa right now, heading for a local caucus on a bitterly cold Thursday eve, wondering, “Does experience matter?” Republican or Democrat, independent and undecided, many parka-wearing Iowans will raise that issue tonight about presidential candidates.

That imagined Iowa voter may not have the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s raw voices and guitar riffs as a personal soundtrack for the question—as I might—but I bet the question will contribute to how she or he casts a vote.

I like the fact that I’m writing this on the early morning of January 3 and the results of Iowa’s vote will not be known until later tonight. I like the thought that, when I’m more experienced in the months and years to follow, I will re-read these words knowing what took place by the end of this day.

A couple of someones—at least one Republican and one Democrat—will be anointed the winner in Iowa. And, given how the “experts” like to endlessly analyze elections (along with sports, fashion runways, dog shows, Christmas pageants and generally every other human activity), an Iowa winner may not be the first place finisher. Second place or a “good showing” may cause one candidate to become a media darling.

Then those happy-go-lucky (and even colder than Iowa) folks in New Hampshire will vote a few days later and another winner will emerge and create momentary or long-lasting buzz. On and on it goes.

Did you know this is the first presidential election since 1952 with no one running who has “experience?” In every circus, I mean election, since 1952, one of the candidates was either the current president or vice-president. They were “experienced.” In ‘52 Adlai Stevenson and Dwight Eisenhower were the candidates. Both could rightly stake a claim to the importance of their individual experiences and qualities, but neither had been president or the proverbial vice-presidential heartbeat away from the White House.

Arguably Abraham Lincoln was the best president, but don’t call him “Mr. Experience.” At age thirty-seven, he was elected to his singular ho-hum term in Congress (1846-48). In my lifetime, and I was born when Stevenson and Eisenhower campaigned in ’52, the candidate and eventual president with arguably the most experience was Richard Nixon. I would not use ho-hum to describe any of his times in any elected office.

Does experience matter?

I think so, but the experience I am swayed by rarely surfaces on résumés. I am more interested in life experiences. For me, holding office is not as important as living out integrity and compassion. And this is where, always, politics and faith converge. Intangibles inform our choices and decisions.

Why did the disciples follow Jesus? None of the gospel writers mention it was because Peter or James or Mary Magdelene heard angels had once visited Jesus’ Mom and Pop or he had a virgin birth or got peculiar gifts from wandering magi. It wasn’t about prior experiences. But what then?

In this season following Christmas, I like what was said about Jesus at his baptism (according to Mark, Matthew and Luke) . . . he was called the “beloved.”

Beloved was, I believe, Jesus’ guiding experience. It was how he experienced life, and how he shared life with others. Beloved is never listed on résumés. And yet, I long for what it represents and hopes and believes. Beloved always sees the other as neighbor. Beloved is humble and humbling. Beloved is a welcome. Beloved, using the words of Paul from I Corinthians 13, is never arrogant or rude or insistent on its own way.

I wonder what will happen in Iowa?

It will be a cold night. Neighbors will gather. Strangers will meet. Questions will be asked. Opinions will be shared. Votes will be cast. What will matter most? The soundtrack will not be Hendrix, but instead it will be the hum of beloved voices.