Everyone Plays a Part

An automobile is merely a platform, or chassis; rolling on two axles, connected to the wheels. Tires move by efforts of an engine, and the compartment is surrounded by parts. Thousands of parts; all bolted, screwed, or glued together at natural divisions like the hood, doors, and trunk.

More than a bucket of bolts, this progressive symphony of mechanical pieces fueled by abundant petroleum is as fragile and complex as the humans it transports. This appliance dominates the landscape of Houston and courses through its network of roads like blood through arteries.

Driving is a metaphor for living: mechanism makes movement, transportation offers independence, speed begets time, structure shows status, roads give connectivity, and gasoline is the fuel for the journey.

Auto bodies project status as a mobile dwelling just like our homes; the sheet metal and shiny chrome an extension of the clothes we wear. Cell phones give personal connectivity the way cars take us from one opportunity to the next. Ubiquitous gasoline pumps are like grocery stores for our vehicles. Automobility impacts the economy like few other engines.

Over 20 million vehicles cruise the roadways in Texas, and it is estimated that 20% aren’t registered with the state. One in every four is a pick ‘em up truck, a Texas institution considering the state’s agricultural job base.

 

The automobile made me think about machines, which don’t generally come equipped with extra parts (except maybe a spare tire, but I digress). Machines arrive with the essential pieces working perfectly. If the world can be compared to machinery, then there are no “spare parts.” You are a unique part of the world, not an auxiliary piece the world can get-by without. Each of us is made by God for an important purpose. Nobody should believe that they are essentially worthless or unimportant.

Sometimes a part must be replaced or released, allowing additional pieces to plug into their role; often, there are complicated circumstances that require special components or people. However, the world runs largely because the steady, consistent, central, measured, necessary, crucial pieces of a system function reliably, day after day, year in, year out. This interconnected world rolls-on because the sum of all the parts. Each one executes their mission every day; no matter how small the role, everyone plays a part.

©Mark H. Pillsbury