As Shaky as a Fiddler on the Roof

What a crazy idea -- playing a fiddle on the roof of a house! You won’t ever see me on a roof, walking, standing, sitting, OR playing a musical instrument. I would be the shakiest of the shaky. I like to keep my feet planted on terra firma.

But it’s a metaphor. Even though I am not physically on a roof, navigating the bumps of life is pretty shaky – just about as shaky as a fiddler on a roof! And that is exactly the point Tevye makes in his opening monologue:

Life wasn’t easy in Anatevka in 1905. Neither is it easy in America in 2015. Metaphorically, every one of us is a fiddler on a roof, trying to serve God and live a good life without falling and breaking our necks. For sure: it is not easy. Sort of reminds me of Amy Grant’s song: 

“We believe in God, and we all need Jesus, 

‘cause life is hard and it might not get easier.”

Tevye anticipates our question, “So how do you keep your balance?” and his answer is one word: TRADITION! Note that he uses the singular, not the plural: Tradition, not traditions. To be sure, he illustrates with several of their local traditions: “How to sleep. How to eat. How to work. How to wear clothes.” But the power is not in the specific habits and practices, but in TRADITION itself.

TRADITION as understood by The Free Dictionary:

1. The passing down of elements of a culture from generation to generation, especially
by oral communication: cultural practices that are preserved by tradition.

2.a. A mode of thought or behavior followed by a people continuously from generation to generation; a custom or usage: the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.

b. A set of such customs and usages viewed as a coherent body of precedents
influencing the present: followed family tradition in dress and manners.

3. A precept or a body of precepts that are not written in the sacred book of a religion,
such as the Bible, but are considered holy or true.

4. A style or method of an activity or practice, especially of artistic expression, that is
recognized and sometimes imitated: satire in the tradition of Jonathan Swift.

TRADITION, you see, is a good thing, and certain specific traditions may or may not be good. While some people today are throwing off all sorts of traditions -- and tradition itself -- they are only hurting themselves, because their lives will be fuller and more meaningful if they were to understand value TRADITION.

And while I would quibble with Tevye over the following (I would change “traditions” to “tradition”), I wholeheartedly support the philosophy he expresses: “And because of our traditions, every one of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do. Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as…as...as a fiddler on the roof!”

From the perspective of a disciple, I would say, “Because of our Tradition, every one of us knows who he or she is, and what God expects us to do. Without the Christian Tradition, our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof!”

Uncle Tom Speaks

There has been a lot of controversy in recent days about religious rights:

1. A pizza shop had to close temporarily due to threats against them because they said that they would not cater a gay wedding.
2. The Indiana governor and legislature managed to mismanage themselves in a rather public and embarrassing manner.
3. A bakery was run out of business due to a heavy fine because it would not bake a cake for a gay wedding (click here for an interesting take on what this bakery might have done differently).
4. And so on.
5. And on. And on. And on. 

I've been thinking about these issues. I've been focusing on what a disciple of Christ should do when asked or compelled to do something that goes against their beliefs.

And I've decided that we should do as Jesus said in Matthew 5:41, “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” The writer of the blog mentioned above applies this logic and concludes that a baker should bake two cakes for the gay wedding. Fair enough. 

But I'm drawn to the practice of a local dentist who belongs to the Seventh Day Adventist Church. He tells his patients about his faith and explains that if they ever have a dental emergency on a Saturday, that he will come in and treat them but that he will not, indeed cannot, accept any pay. Why? Because the patient has an emergency need and he can help, but accepting pay would be working on the Sabbath, which his faith forbids. I like it!

So I say to Christ followers near and far: 

If a gay person or gay couple wants to hire you to do something, accept it gladly as an opportunity to be a servant like Jesus. But don't accept any pay. Bake that cake for free! Do the wedding photographs for free! Do those floral arrangements for free! And do it in the name of Jesus!

But there IS one place where Christ followers must draw the line -- we can work and serve others, but we must never inflict pain or suffering. And here's where Uncle Tom speaks to us. Harriet Beecher Stowe published this powerful book in 1852, and it became the best-selling novel of 19th century. It fueled the growing abolitionist movement.

Many people misunderstand Tom. They see him as a submissive, cowardly black who bowed to the will of the white master. But that is so wrong! Tom's refusal to flog a woman is why Simon Legree ordered his death. Read this snippet:

• "And now," said Legree, "jest take this yer gal and flog her."
• "I beg Mas'r's pardon," said Tom; "hopes Mas'r won't set me at that. It's what I an't used to,—never did,—and can't do, no way possible. I'm willin' to work, night and day, and work while there's life and breath in me; but this yer thing I can't feel it right to do;—and, Mas'r, I never shall do it,—never! Mas'r, if you mean to kill me, kill me; but, as to my raising my hand agin any one here, I never shall,—I'll die first! Mas'r Legree, I can't do it. I never will do a cruel thing, come what may."

And Legree ordered two slaves to beat Uncle Tom to death. 

The lesson? 

Do what you are legally required to do (such as bake cakes for gay weddings), unless it requires you to raise a hand against another. And I'm thinking that you ought to do it gladly, without pay. For the sake of Christ.