Sarah Miller

BITH 111

Dr. Lauber

26 February 2014

Dear Makena,

I am writing you today to tell you about the ways in which life here at Wheaton is

shaped by something we call our Community Covenant. My school, Wheaton College, is a

wonderfully diverse and complex community of Christians living, learning, working, and

worshiping together. We seek to honor and glorify God with every aspect of our lives, and the

Community Covenant articulates how this desire may become reality.

Its important that you know that the Covenant is not simply a list of rules or guidelines.

I will admit that it may seem like that at times, but if you take a closer look, youll see that it is

much more than that. I think our own President Ryken describes the Covenant well: It is a

statement of holy obligations that we undertake as forgiven sinners, because they are true to the

character of our Savior. You and I and everyone in the world has been created to be an image

bearer of God, and committing to live by Biblical standards is a step towards living true to this

image.

I know that it may sound overwhelming, restricting, or even downright boring to make

such a commitment, but I promise its worth it. Far from restricting, I have actually found it to

be freeing. Knowing that everyone in the Wheaton community has made the same commitment

that I have removes a lot of the fear and social boundaries that may be present in other
communities. (Of course, Wheaton is far from perfect, and not everyone chooses to actually

follow through with their commitment, but I have found that the majority, do.)

One thing that I particularly appreciate about the Covenant is that it attempts to use

Biblical standards positively and affirmatively. In other words, it tells us what we, as

Christians, should do, rather than just what we should not do. This is important because as

Christians, we are called to actively and intentionally strive to live as Jesus did. A life of

passivity or one that does not move beyond mere avoidance of harmful behaviors is far from

the example Jesus set. Examples of these actions include the call to pursue holiness, to exercise

Christian freedom responsibly, and to be careful stewards of our time, possessions, abilities,

and opportunities.

I have chosen to follow the Covenant for several reasons. First of all, its content is

founded in scripture, the highest authority on human life (next to God himself). Second, when I

applied to Wheaton, I gave my word that I would adhere to the Covenant, so even if I dont

fully agree with every statement, I am obligated to fulfill the commitment I made to this

community. And finally, life is just better. There is so much joy to be found in obeying and

worshiping God with my whole life and being. Certainly, everything is not perfect, and

sometimes I must choose to do not what I want to do or feel like doing, but what I know I am

commanded to do.

As much as I would love to have you here at Wheaton, Makena, know that you dont

need to be here, living under the Wheaton Community Covenant, to honor God with your life. I

encourage you to find ways to serve Him and those around you, right where youre at.

Love, Sarah