"It is because of our traditions that we keep our balance
and because of our traditions, every one of us knows
who he is and what God expects him to do."
Reb Tevya
On sunday morning in sunday school class we talked about how Christians live within their culture, we will be talking about this for the next few weeks, it is going to be thought provoking. One of the thoughts was that we tend to rate ourselves as Christians by what we don't do rather than who we are. That seems to be an odd balance, we need to know who we are.
I watched Fiddler on the Roof Saturday night, Reb Tevya, the Papa is the main character. He knows who he is. He is always talking to God, he brings Him into the picture of his life with every thought, decision and event that happens to him. I love that. He tells God everything, he questions Him, he rejoices in Him and he shares His word with others, "as the Good Book says..." He accepts God's plan, for himself, for his family, weighing everything with his tradition in mind and within his changing culture. 'On one hand' he weighs the cons and 'On the other hand' he weighs the pros. His decisions were made this way, by balance.
At one point in the story, one of his daughters chooses to be married outside of their faith, after weighing the pros and cons Reb Tevya cries out "I cannot bend that far...I will break!" For just a moment he softens and says "on the other hand..." but, cries out "No! There is no other hand!"
Tradition, culture, faith, giving permission, giving blessings, loving God, loving others, acceptance. On one hand, there will always be those times when we cannot bend, when we should not bend.
But, on the other hand...
"Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will."
Romans 12:2
