Trickster Times and the Theft of a Nation
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“The prophetic tasks of the church are to tell the truth in a society that lives in illusion, to grieve in a society that practices denial, and to express hope in a society that lives in despair.”
—Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination
Over the weekend, we witnessed what may be the greatest breach of public trust in modern history. Billionaire Elon Musk and his team seized control of the U.S. Treasury’s payment system,1 gaining access to the financial records and social security numbers of every American, every business, and every entity receiving government funds. He also now holds classified financial data on foreign aid, including the operations of USAID.2 This is not a conspiracy theory—it happened. And yet, much of our nation sleeps through it, unaware or unwilling to recognize what is unfolding before us.
The Trump administration, operating unchecked, has handed the world’s richest man a tool that surpasses even the most dystopian imaginations: a direct pipeline into the financial workings of an entire country. With a single move, Musk has positioned himself not just as a billionaire with influence but as a shadow ruler with the power to control and manipulate the economic structures that govern our lives. If this is not a constitutional crisis, then nothing is.
Philosopher Bayo Akomolafe3 calls this the “Age of the Trickster”—a time when disruption exposes the illusions upon which we have built our world.4 Tricksters do not destroy for the sake of destruction alone. They reveal the fractures, the hypocrisy, the hollow places where we have grown complacent. In mythology, the Trickster is the one who forces a reckoning, the one who shakes a culture out of its slumber. But Trickster does not promise a happy ending. What comes next depends on whether the people wake up, whether they resist, whether they reclaim what was stolen from them.
Walter Brueggemann, the great theologian, once said: “Empires prefer the world to be arranged in a certain way—stable, controlled, dominated by the few. But the prophets come to disrupt, to imagine alternatives, to break the grip of empire with the audacity of truth.”5 This is where we find ourselves today. Those who hold power have little interest in justice, in fairness, in the sacred dignity of every human being. They are building fortresses of wealth and control, erasing the boundaries of law, ethics, and democracy itself.
And yet, so many remain blind. The supporters of this administration—many of whom claim Christian values—are either unwilling or unable to see what is happening in real time. FOX News will not report that their financial identities now sit in the hands of an unelected billionaire with no accountability. Many people who voted for this administration simply aren’t paying attention. Many will never question. This is how democracy collapses—not all at once, but through a million small betrayals that go unchecked, unchallenged, unnoticed.6
Psychologist Carl Jung reminds us that the psychology of the individual is reflected in the psychology of the nation. Only a change in the attitude of the individual can initiate a change in the psychology of the nation.7 The battle before us is not just legal or political. It is deeply spiritual. It is about waking up to the shocking reality before us—about refusing to surrender to the despair that tells us nothing can be done. The truth is, something can always be done. History has shown us this over and over again. Corrupt systems do not fall on their own. They are dismantled by the collective courage of those who refuse to let lies stand.
But what can we do? We need to talk about what is happening with our neighbors, our family members and our community leaders. We can’t assume that their news sources are telling them. We need to call our representatives and ask them to resist with everything they’ve got. Let’s remember that democracy serves the PEOPLE, not just the billionaires making more profit.
It’s only been 14 days, folks.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
What does it mean to you that we are living in an “age of the Trickster”? How have you seen deception and chaos used as tools of control in our world today?
Jung reminds us that transformation begins with the individual. What attitudes or beliefs do you need to examine in yourself to become part of the movement for truth and justice?
How do you maintain hope and moral clarity when so much of the world seems blinded by lies? Where do you draw strength?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for the Soul of a Nation
Holy One, you are the God of truth, justice, and mercy.
In a time of deception, give us clarity. In a time of corruption, give us courage. In a time of despair, give us endurance.
We grieve the ways power is being abused, the ways lies are being upheld as truth, the ways injustice is being normalized. But we also remember that no empire stands forever. You call us to be prophets for Love, justice-seekers for the common good, and advocates of the vulnerable.
Strengthen our resolve to resist the forces of greed and cruelty. Help us to wake up, to speak up, and to act in ways that align with your vision of justice.
May we never be silent when truth must be spoken. May we never be passive when action is required. May we be unwavering in our commitment to your kin-dom—a kin-dom of justice, love, and truth.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Conversations That Build Bridges
In a time when many of us feel divided from one another, it is easy to slip into frustration or even resignation when talking with people who see the world differently than we do. But meaningful conversations—ones rooted in kindness, curiosity, and genuine connection—are still possible. They begin not with the goal of changing someone’s mind, but with the commitment to truly listen, to ask thoughtful questions, and to remain open to understanding another person’s perspective.
This week, practice engaging in conversations with those who may hold different viewpoints. When you find yourself in a discussion that feels tense or challenging, take a deep breath before responding. Instead of reacting immediately, pause and ask: What is this person feeling? What experiences have shaped their perspective? Where are they getting their information? Approach the conversation with the mindset of learning rather than persuading. Questions like “What led you to that perspective?” or “How do you think we could work toward solutions together?” can create space for dialogue rather than debate.
At the same time, commit to keeping yourself well-informed. Make it a practice to check multiple sources when reading about current events, ensuring that you are not only consuming news that confirms what you already believe. Ask yourself: Am I reading to understand or just to reinforce my emotions? Seek out perspectives that challenge you in ways that are constructive, not inflammatory. Just as we ask others to remain open to learning, we must do the same. (Check out the app Ground News to help with this).
Finally, reflect on how you can be a presence of calm and thoughtfulness in a world that often rewards outrage. If a conversation becomes heated, rather than escalating, practice being the person who asks, “What do we both care about here?” Find common ground, even if it is small. Remember that change—whether in relationships, communities, or society—begins with the simple act of staying present, staying curious, and staying engaged.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
February 6, 7-8pm ET - Join my conversation “Mindful Healing: Tools For Inner Balance and Wellbeing” with Rev. Dr. Isa Gucciardi. Register here.
February 18, 2025, 12pm ET, Being a pastor is no easy task, especially in a year like this one. Join my colleague Rev. Jim Keat and other faith leaders as we talk about not only what we are holding, but how we are holding it. Register here.
February 27, 2025, 12-1:30pm - Margaret Wheatley and I are offering a 4 or 8-session course called “Are We Made for These Times?” If you know Meg’s work, it’s going to be extraordinary. If you want the deep dive, the 8-session course is for you. You can read about the shorter 4-session course here. Scholarships are available. I sooooo hope you can be a part of this!
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more. Only two spots left!
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Mark your calendars for now. More info is coming.
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-elon-musk-doge-treasury-5e26cc80fcb766981cea56afd57ae759
https://apnews.com/article/doge-musk-trump-classified-information-usaid-security-35101dee28a766e0d9705e0d47958611
https://www.bayoakomolafe.net/ - I encourage you to follow Dr. Akomolafe’s work. He has access to a way of seeing and languaging that I find uniquely helpful.
Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination
Dr. Timothy Snyder is a leading expert in authoritarianism. Here is a helpful analysis of this present moment: https://substack.com/home/post/p-156287745
Jung’s Collected Works, Volume 10: Civilization in Transition
Thank you for this sobering post. Making the effort to write and send these each day is a blessing. Yiur thoughts have helped me avoid despair.
Here in Canada, many of us are resolved to respond in helpful, meaningful ways for you who are on the front lines of this. I would remind all of us of Romans 8:38 and 39 as well as Ephesians 6:12. President Trump makes this all about himself and those gathered around him. I pray daily to be reminded that it is not about us.
As one with relatives living and working in the US, I pray for all of you daily. We have a married nephew who is 2SLGBTQ+. (Oh, 2S is 'two spirit' from our native peoples). I pray especially for wisdom to know what is best to do. I join with Rev Gail F in continuing our support.
Rev Scott Brown