“Whatever!” I read the word and had to stop. I could hear the echoes of someone with sass saying, “What-ever!” That wasn’t what this “whatever” meant. This was humble and honest. This whatever meant anything or even everything. I found it in the story of David, and it made me stop and consider my Jesus.
David had been anointed, but was not yet king. He knew Saul, the current king, was threatened by this, therefore he was fearful for his life. As David confided in his friend, Jonathan reassured him, “Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do for you” (1Samuel 20:4). Some people might say this, but they don’t necessarily mean anything or everything. Jonathan meant it – right down to giving his life.
Surely, it was an unlikely friendship. Jonathan was heir to the throne, and David was the God-ordained king. By all rights, Jonathan should have seen David as a threat. David was a shepherd, a servant. He had no cultural rights to expect Jonathan to serve him. Their roles were reversed. Jonathan, the would-be king, was willing to serve David, the anointed king. And yet, Jonathan held no ill-will. He was not mad. He was not jealous. He did not seek to destroy David. In fact, they were best friends. Jonathan “loved him as he loved himself,” the Bible tells us (1 Samuel 20:17). He was willing to do “whatever” to serve David.
This is a perfect picture of the choice we have in Jesus Christ. The world tells us to serve ourselves, be our own kings. We do what we want, what pleases us. We look out for #1. It’s all about us. After all, we deserve the best, right? That free-will has been given to us. But Jesus is our rightful God-ordained king, so there is a dichotomy in our being. Like Jonathan, we are in a place where we have to make a decision: Will we serve ourselves, or will we serve Christ?
Jonathan’s words made me reflect on my attitude toward Christ. Do I feel this way about my Lord and Savior? Would I say to Him, “Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do for you?” Whatever. Money. Time. Words. Deeds. Work. Sacrifice. Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do for You? Is that my heart-felt oath to my Lord?
My attitude is short-sighted compared to the all-encompassing “whatever” offered by Jonathan. “Whatever” is huge! How often do I just do what needs to be done, never going beyond, and never considering my Lord? How often do I say something to someone, or about someone, and I never consider how my words might honor the Lord? How often do I grouch and complain about doing things the Lord has entrusted to me alone, and I never consider that I’m being ungrateful to Him? How often is my “whatever” really small compared to my LORD?
Sometimes the “whatever” God is requiring of us is difficult. Maybe your “whatever” is walking through a season of hardship. Maybe you’ve been called to serve the Lord in some way. Maybe you know it is time to overcome an imprisoning sin-pattern. Giving “whatever” to the Lord will require attention, focus, and purposeful actions. It won’t happen accidentally or by default. Giving “whatever” will require an override of our self-will. It will require that we think about things daily, hourly, all the time. That’s not easy. But here’s the thing: our God is all about helping us get it right. He is a God who brings renewal and sanctification. He brings light into the dark places of our hearts. All we have to do is give it to Him. He won’t leave us to figure it out alone. He will come and guide us with His gentle Spirit. I don’t know about you, but I want to do “whatever” right. I want to say, “Come, Lord Jesus. Come and broaden my 'whatever.' I want to glorify You!”
Dear LORD, Thank you for Your patient instruction and for Your revealing light. Broaden my “whatever” so that I might accomplish what You’ve set before me, to Your glory. I ask this in Jesus’s name, Amen!
Other “whatever” verses:
Proverbs 16:3 - “Commit to the LORD whatever you do and He will establish your plans.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 -“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Colossians 3:17 -“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the LORD Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Colossians 3:23 - “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”
