Whatever!

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 3:17, NIV (EMPHASIS MINE)

This verse gives new meaning to the word whatever that is often used as an exasperated response from a teenager’s lips! The apostle Paul isn’t using the word here with a begrudging tone. Instead, this whatever embraces all the potential joy it can pass on. Whatever you and I do as God’s children, we can do with a thankful heart in Jesus’ name. It brings to my mind the song that the seven dwarfs sang in Snow White, “Whistle While You Work.” (Wouldn’t that make Walt Disney proud?)

A believer’s every action points to Christ! Lest those actions reflect negatively on our Savior, Paul encourages us to keep in mind that we have countless opportunities each day to uphold Christ’s name. Whatever we do or say in Jesus’ name, giving thanks, happens only through His Spirit living in us.

The book of Colossians was written to believers in the church in Colosse, people who had already put their faith and trust in Christ. But some of those believers were thinking their salvation depended on “doing the commandments.” Paul was reminding all of them (and us) that Christ alone is sufficient, and His sufficiency makes it possible to get our eyes off of ourselves and our human goals, and focus on Jesus. Reflecting Him will draw others to want to know Him too.

Colossians begins with C, as in “Christ first.” As believers in Christ, we need to heed Paul’s reminder, too, and not confuse the truth of today’s verse as a way to earn merit with God. When we focus on Him, we grow to love Him more. As we love Him more, our whatevers become opportunities to experience and express His joy as we represent Him in this hurting world which is so quickly moving toward isolation.

As we go through the day, let’s be mindful of whatever ways we can represent Him well in a world that needs to know the real Jesus.