One of the most annoying current expressions is the apathetic “whatever”. It is a popular response of teens to parents. Said with a roll of the eyes and an exasperated sigh, it effectively communicates a bored contempt toward whatever has been said. It’s a way of saying, “Yeah, yeah, whatever makes you happy.” It’s hearing without listening or caring.
Although this word may not be uttered, this can easily become the attitude of Christians who hear sermons every Sunday. We’ve heard it all before. The pastor explains that we should be on fire with a passion for God and compassion for those around us. We may say “Amen”—but often it is just another “whatever”.
There is, however, another kind of whatever. It is how we should respond when God asks what we will give up to obey him. We should say, “Whatever you ask me to surrender.” When God asks us to give up our pride, our dreams, and our comfort, we should humbly say, “Whatever.”
We must follow Jesus “whatever” the cost. Our prayer for ourselves and for our sons and daughters should be that the first kind of “whatever” is traded for this second kind.
