*Originally published December 30, 2015

The beginning of a new year brings thoughts of resolutions. They are often easily made and just as easily discarded.  For a more profound change, consider a covenant. A covenant, made between individuals, nations, or God has more gravitas. That is because it requires a mutual agreement between the parties. A covenant would not be needed if it were easy or something already done tacitly. There is give-and-take either of equals or of unequals, such as believers covenanting with God.

A desire to accomplish the goal of climbing a mountain has elements of unequals if there is a covenant. An able hiker and marathoner, “Maria” is considering the challenge of mountain climbing. She weighs as many factors as she can. But soon she realizes she needs expert advice, training, and a seasoned guide. They dialogue about timing, length of climb, and Maria’s personal goals. Finally with reticence Maria tells the guide, “Let’s do it!” Her excitement begins to build. The decision is energizing.

For the next three months Maria does targeted exercises that will strengthen her for the challenge. Maria mentally prepares. She is psyched and shares her excitement with a mountain climbing friend who is highly supportive of Maria’s commitment. They agree to keep in touch via cell phones, to share moments of accomplishment and encouragement when there are setbacks.

The guide chooses Maria’s gear, which she packs under the guide’s direction. The day comes. Maria’s guide is waiting for her—arriving before she does.

Late in the afternoon of the first day, Maria falls and cuts her forehead. The guide says it requires stitches and is ready to stitch up the gash. Maria is hurting, but not sure she trusts the guide to do the stitching. Mountain climbing is a discipline, but as far as Maria knows, out-patient surgery is not part of that discipline. She is angry, hurt, and afraid. After several hours, in utter desperation she relinquishes control and asks the guide to do what needs to be done.

That night Maria contemplates calling her friend. She is not sure what she hopes the call will accomplish. Is it encouragement, or permission to turn around, with a modest sense of success? Does she want to vent or get sympathy? Remembering their promise to one another, she dials the friend’s number. Her friend listens, then reminds Maria of her commitment and how much she has already achieved. “You can do it,” Maria’s friend says. None too convinced Maria falls asleep. She awakes to a glorious sunrise, and feels reinvigorated.

There are a few observations and commonalities about climbing a mountain and covenant-making. The covenant we make with God is not one-sided—neither without consultation with God nor coercion. God is waiting for the dialogue. Maria did not strike out to climb a mountain on her own. She knew enough to know she didn’t know enough. She understood that she wouldn’t be prepared without a trainer, a guide, and a mentor—her friend to encourage and push her to keep going when the inevitable setbacks occurred. There was a conversation between her and the guide to assess what she needed.

The conduct of the guide can be compared to God in the readiness to assist and give guidance; he was waiting for her the first day and didn’t leave her on the mountain. God initiates and God waits. Even with all of her preparations there were setbacks and trust issues. If Maria was to get the medical help she needed she had to relinquish control. Her guide and mentor didn’t push or coddle her and neither does God.

Several years ago when I realized I was doing something that was hampering me spiritually I decided to make a covenant. Actually, I had recognized it for some time—so I had already developed some “muscle” around it—as the hiker did before the climb. But I hadn’t taken the step of seeking God’s guidance. When I faltered, I called on my mentor and called on God. I was discouraged at times and I failed. There is no shame in failing—unless we abandon that commitment.

Resolutions and covenants are not the same. Although in the former we may get outside help, we are telling the other person what we will do. In a covenant we prayerfully search. We become open to the leading of God’s Spirit, which takes us to a level of accountability and power to complete what we could not have done on our own.

Fulfilling a covenant that is led by God means bringing out more of what created us to be and do. Covenants are built on God-given talents and gifts. In that way we are working toward living into the reign of God.

‍