This is not usually a word of encouragement or optimism. It is what we say when we feel let down, betrayed, discouraged. So, “whatever” is said in a way that is intended to communicate that you don’t care. However, the irony is that it really means that something matters very much.
We continue to be surprised at being disappointed. People have this problem called sin. Sin comes from rebellion to God. At its root, rebellion starts with believing a lie.
We believe we can be happy apart from dying to ourselves.
We believe that the people we love will not hurt us.
We believe that we deserve what we desire.
We believe things will be better next time.
We believe that we will not be disappointed again.
And then, when our beliefs prove to be not reliable, we say it doesn’t matter. “Whatever.”
The truth is that there is only one person who will never disappoint you, his name is Jesus. The miscalculation of this age, of any age, is to look for hope without looking for God. Sin begins with putting someone or something other than God at the center of our affections.
To compound the issue, a culture rich with material things is a culture that breeds bitterness and disappointment. Why? Relationships become secondary to things. When this happens relationships will always disappoint. Without the life-changing power of Christ and a worldview seen through his gospel, life will disappoint. In the end, someone will say, “It doesn’t matter, whatever!”
But, whatever is what not God has for you. For you, all things matter!
This is true because all that you do is to be done for the glory and honor of God. People and things, by themselves, will not lead to happiness, but to disappointment. People, no matter how appealing they may be, cannot bring lasting satisfaction and peace. Things, no matter how much they are desired cannot be the measure of life.
It is the gospel that matters. The gospel matters because it transforms your ability to distinguish between things of value and things that only pretend to offer value. It matters because it enables you to love others more than yourself, to be one who heals rather than one who is hurt. Whether for you or your children, disappointment comes when people fail or things don’t satisfy. You have looked for hope in the wrong places.
The gospel matters. There is only one Person who will not disappoint you – his name is Jesus. He alone can turn life from the discouragement of “whatever” to joy of honoring God in every opportunity. Don’t be enslaved by the curse of “whatever.” Be encouraged by the joy of turning all things towards the praise of God!