In today’s world, where loneliness is magnified by the fleeting connections of social media, Christianity offers a countercultural remedy that isn’t about comfort but about commitment. This is a call to embrace the covenant within the body of Christ, to find our place in a community that values long-term relationships over the fleeting interactions endorsed by today’s “culture of the ephemeral.”
Pope Francis describes our modern dilemma with piercing accuracy, noting that many treat relationships like consumer goods—easily discarded when no longer convenient. This mindset seeps into every facet of life, from friendships to church involvement, creating a society that lacks depth and permanence.
The Challenge of FOMO Among the Faithful
Our generation, often labeled as having a “fear of missing out,” tends to avoid commitments. Whether it’s deciding on a career path, settling in a city, or investing in a local church, the idea of making a definitive choice seems daunting. Many of us, influenced by the plethora of options and the fear of making the wrong choice, end up living in a state of indecision and instability.
For instance, consider the youth group planning a weekend retreat only to have participants drop out last minute for other, seemingly more appealing options. This scenario highlights a prevalent issue: a preference for comfort and convenience over the commitments we make to each other.
The Urgent Need for Covenant in the Church
If the Church intends to thrive and not just survive in the 21st century, it must reclaim the importance of covenant—a bond that demands more from us than comfortable Christianity ever will. The Church must dare to demand dedication over convenience and declare the worth of enduring commitments. It must speak prophetically against the consumerist approach to faith that reduces religious practice to another item on the buffet of lifestyle choices.
Covenants, by their very nature, are not meant to be easy or comfortable. They require sacrifice, persistence, and a willingness to prioritize the community’s good over individual desires. Just as marriages and historical covenants have shown, the path of commitment is rugged but richly rewarding.
The Transformative Power of Living in Covenant
Living in covenant means accepting limits—limits that challenge the modern idolatry of autonomy. For example, Christian institutions that uphold community standards and behavioral covenants offer a countercultural witness to the freedom found in self-restraint and mutual accountability. These policies, often seen as restrictive, are actually frameworks for fostering a disciplined and devoted community.
David Brooks, speaking to Christian educators, highlighted the value of these communal commitments. He suggested that our true identities are not discovered through unfettered freedom but through the demands and duties of covenant relationships. Hannah Arendt echoes this sentiment, arguing that our promises—our commitments to others—anchor our identities more than any self-seeking pursuit could.
Embracing Covenant in a Culture of Isolation
To choose a life of covenant is to step away from the shadows of isolation and into the light of community. It involves moving beyond the superficial connections of our digital age to engage in deep, meaningful relationships that reflect Christ’s love and commitment to His Church.
This choice might lead us away from what is easy and comfortable, toward what is right and righteous. It’s about finding freedom not in the absence of restrictions but within the protective boundaries of God-given relationships. In these relationships, we find our true purpose and a clearer sense of who we are meant to be.
In an era defined by transience and avoidance of commitment, embracing covenant within the Christian community offers a stabilizing anchor for our souls. It calls us to lay down the burden of endless choices and to pick up the yoke of mutual service and sacrifice. For in this, we find the true heart of Christian discipleship—a journey not meant to be walked alone but in the faithful company of others who have chosen the same narrow, rewarding path.
