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Become Grains of Sand in the Gears

Become Grains of Sand in the Gears

Last updated on: February 2, 2025 at 11:05 am by Brad Thibodeaux

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Become Grains of Sand in the Gears 2025-02-02T11:05:22-05:00 Brad Thibodeaux

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Become Sand in the Gears
Image by Marlon Sommer // Pixabay

It’s felt like years, but it’s only been 13 days since Trump was sworn in for his second term. Unlucky 13. If you’re like me, it’s been filled with existential dread, frustration, and sadness. The Republican Party is fully on board with Trump and the alternatives are disorganized and not taking responsibility for their lack of vision.

This feeling of helplessness stems from the fact that we don’t feel like we have a voice. Our ability to make real change is smothered by big money. So what’s the point in trying? What can we do?

I Don’t Want to do This Anymore

I am tired of screaming into the void. It has been encouraging to hear from friends and family, but I still wish I didn’t have to write this. Honestly, I find this a waste of time, annoying, and, honestly, so boring!

I’ve written on Christian Nationalism before.

I’ve talked about the 7 Mountain Mandate.

I’ve suggested how the White American Church should view the 10 Commandments and the Bill of Rights.

I’ve noted problems in our Church, specifically the lack of action and what justice looks like.

I’ve reflected on the Church’s persecution complex and the role of Capitalism in the way the Church works today.

I’ve thought about reform from within and the rot in our Church.

I would much rather talk about the big questions we face. Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? Is the message of Jesus good news? But until we right the ship, it’s time to gunk up the gears.

DEI and Metaphor

I am grateful that I was able to attend a workshop last month that focused around how social workers can engage in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion to provide better service to their clients. My work in harm reduction (a phrase that is under fire with Trump’s DEI attacks) overlaps in many communities that are now under treat. As I sat at the table, listening to people talk about how their work is potentially affected and hindered by the new administration, I found myself lifted up. Not because of the uphill battle that these workers will face, but because they are not giving up.

I love imagery and metaphor. In my undergrad philosophy courses, I learned a lot about semiotics, or the study of symbols. As philosophers talk about symbols, they also talk about language as primarily metaphor. For example, we agree that the word ‘apple’ describes what we think of as an apple. As I am asked what I will do, or what I think we can do, I use imagery and metaphor to describe what to do.

Become a Grain of Sand

Picture this system as a large machine, with hundreds of gears, some big and some small. All these gears, regardless of size, need to move with no friction in order to keep the machine running. Something as simple as a grain of sand can disrupt the machine and cause it to stop working until this single grain of sand is removed. If the sand is left, or if there is too much sand in the gears, it will need to be disassembled and rebuilt.

We live in a large system of government, economy, and community. While many of us don’t have access to the top of these systems, we all participate to some degree. Many people let the machine run and take what’s left for us. But sometimes, we know the machine is not creating what we want. This is the time to become a grain of sand in the machine.

Become a grain of sand in this machine. This machine needs to break in order to rebuild in a way that we can all agree is best for everyone. And as a Christian, we should be working towards a machine that promotes the wellbeing of those who are poor, overlooked, and disenfranchised.

Brad is a graduate student at Northwind Theological Seminary studying theology and the changing religious landscape in America. He works as a co-investigator at the University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy providing education and support for rural New Englanders impacted by the opioid epidemic. Brad spends nights and weekends playing in regional bands as a bassist, guitarist, and vocalist. When not at a computer, he loves to spend time with his wife and chasing his toddler around the house. You can go to his website to get updates on his writing and other events.

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