Whatever...

     As a teacher of middle school students (for a short period of time in my life), the response, "Whatever," was not uncommon, especially when a student was caught making less than helpful choices and didn't want to take responsibility for his or her actions. By definition, whatever means a lack of restrictions as in, "I can do whatever I want." Or it can mean "at all," as in "You are no help whatever." But some have changed the definition, at least informally, to mean a "reluctance to discuss something or indifference about something." 

    In the Bible, the use of "whatever" has a totally different meaning than an indifferent teenager would express. Colossians 3:23 states, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." Mark 11:24, continues this use of whatever to indicate not indifference, but complete faith, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Finally, 1 Corinthians 10:31, states "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 

    What's the difference? Rather than a careless, unconcern for matters at hand, the "whatever" used in these scriptures is about going all in, wholehearted faith and belief that to follow God means we must make a choice, to choose God and Jesus Christ as His Son and our Savior, then we must plow forward in unrelenting perseverance. So the next time someone responds to your request or concern with "whatever," you can reply, "Thank you for your commitment!" I'm sure you will get a bewildered look, but it also may get them thinking. 

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.