Of Wedges and Clamps

  

 

Which of the two?

Is the question I pose:

Am I a wedge or am I a clamp?

The individual knows.

 

Carpenter Frank

Would have the answer,

For him in his line of work

It’s a daily matter.

 

Or cobbler Candid,

He would know it too

Depending on what he decides

To do with a shoe.

 

 

 

A clamp holds tightly

And is a necessary tool,

Of course, it can be misused or abused

By a regular fool.

 

 

 

Wedges do the opposite

Forcing things apart

But both are very distinguishable

From the start.

 

Now that we know

The difference between them

I will now attempt to identify

A problem.

 

In any organization

There are both of these:

The wedges force people apart

The clamps will squeeze.

 

One forces apart

While one pulls together,

Look across any congregation-

Which one is the better?

 

 

 

One works outside in

The other inside out,

While one acts like a strong adhesive

The other creates doubt.

 

 

Doubt is like a wedge

That comes in between

And the fellowship then splits apart

At the very seam.

 

Gossip and rumour

Are two common wedges

That often contaminates the unity

To which one pledges.

 

Scandal is another,

Not much difference here

And the upsurge of this behaviour

Creates much fear.

 

The fear of trusting

And the fear of confiding

And thus, less comfortable brethren

Resort to hiding.

 

Lacking in confidence

And feeling out of place

And for the most times unable,

To look one in the face.

 

Fear of being read

As though an open book

Ever since a wedge, rather a clamp,

Was allowed to look.

 

Far better to be a clamp

Than to be a wedge,

Preferring not to be quicksand

But to be a ledge

 

And not a narrow ledge

Encouraging one to fall,

But a broad and an inviting ledge

Available to all.

 

Disunity is that wedge

Forcing members apart

Where unity is a mere buzz word

And not of the heart. 

 

Be a clamp, I suggest,

That dares to pull together

So there can be wonderful fellowship

With one another.

 

Unending fellowship

Whene’er we have to part,

Just like a good working clamp

Joining us in heart.

 

 

 

The blest Holy Spirit

Will perform this function

And as he indwells the born-again,

He’ll also give unction.

 

Stewart Russell © September 22, 2026