The Whatevers

I still chuckle when I think back to my teenagers’ classic retort: “WHATEVER!” It was usually delivered with a hefty dose of eye-rolling and a sigh that could fill a room. A harmless way of saying, “Your opinion doesn’t quite make my playlist, Mom!”

But today, I want to talk about a different kind of “Whatever”— one that brings us back to the wisdom of Paul in Philippians 4:8.

When Paul said, “Brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy –think about such things,” he was giving us more than a sweet suggestion. He was handing us a lifeline, a roadmap to navigate the wild twists and turns of life.

And what a timely reminder as we get closer to Election Day, where “whatevers” seem to drift toward chaos and negativity. It’s so easy to get tangled up in debates and headlines that sap our joy, forgetting the truly excellent things around us. But here, Paul challenges us to sift through the noise, to find the praiseworthy things and hold on tight.

So, what are some of these “Whatevers” that can steady us during the speeches, the signs and the slogans? l tell you what’s excellent and praiseworthy: kindness still shines brighter than any campaign slogan, families still come together despite their differences, and God’s promises are still true even in tumultuous times. Those are “The Whatevers” we can stand on.

Think of “The Whatevers” as our personal playlist for peace. By focusing on what’s true, noble, and pure, we align our hearts with God’s wisdom, choosing peace over pandemonium. So, when the headlines start to blur and opinions fly like leaves in a windstorm, remember this gentle instruction: Whatever is excellent, whatever is praiseworthy — think about such things.

And let’s make “The Whatevers” contagious! Let’s share them, reflect on them, let them seep into our conversations, lifting our spirits and grounding our thoughts.

Let’s be the people who walk in the wisdom of “The Whatevers,” showing a world that there is a light worth looking for — even when everything else seems to shout, “WHATEVER!”