THE NEVER-MIND SYNDROME

From My Perspective - - -

What is being intended and conveyed when someone uses the term “never-mind”? The Urban Dictionary states that it is: “One of the most annoying words in the English language. It is said when trying to have a conversation with someone and they just decide they don't want to finish the conversation or just don't feel like telling you. Which in turn leaves you hanging, mid-way, wondering how the story or statement was going to end.” The Mirriam-Webster Dictionary indicates that it is an older term meaning: “much less, let alone —used especially in negative contexts to add to one term another denoting something less likely.” In personal matters, it conveys the idea of: “pay him/her no nevermind.” In business matters, it conveys the idea of: “It’s a no nevermind of yours.”

All of us have encountered individuals with the nevermind syndrome. It is expressed in many ways – the shrug of the shoulders; statement of it’ll be alright, or it’ll do. Basically, some people do not want to be engaged in anything that (a) causes one to think through a matter logically and conclusively, or (b) causes one to be committed to a point of view or an action. They live in a don’t rock the boat world. Their motto for life and world-trends is live and let live. It has become a sort of make-believe world in which one lives and attempts to survive. For those who were born and nurtured during World War II, it is understandable to a degree. It was a generation that had to sacrifice and learn to get by with less. It was a time when things that are taken for granted today were rationed during the previous period of history. Cars, tires, gasoline, food and other basics were rationed. Rather than items being discarded, they were recycled. Radio was the major means of information and entertainment. Newspapers would publish “Extras” if there was some newsworthy event that occurred in the War that was taking place. It was a day and time when the never-mind syndrome was non-existent.

We fast forward to current times. What a difference there is in terms of the Culture and Worldview. For those who are focused on word origins and history of usage, a determination is reached that the compound word – never-mind – began to be used in 1954. In the sixty-year concept of “never-mind”, how is that working out for the Culture and Worldview of our day? In a terse response one can conclude: not very well. The Culture is adrift in chaos. The Worldview has allowed for the erosion of moral values and overall decency. In the area of Politics, it is populated by too many who are disingenuous (not truly honest or sincere: giving the false appearance of being honest or sincere). A similar trend is occurring in the area of Religion. The level of commitment seems to be less important whereas career opportunity and material compensation are more in focus. Success in ministry is measured by how many people are in the pews. Programs are more vital than message. The Gospel and Evangelism are words employed but not necessarily the message proclaimed or the ministry in which the church is engaged.

Where should an individual be in terms of values and commitment? In this Advent Season, dare we even broach the subject and theme that it means to be like Jesus and not like the secular world? Is it not a time when Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV) should be read and set as the goal and purpose of one’s life: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” While some are willing to ignore this fact and relegate it to their nevermind syndrome status, it is a basic tenant for Biblical faith and practice. In the balance – Eternity. Will you spend eternity with The One Who loved you and died for you, or with those who disregard The Gospel - the nevermind syndrome group – II Thessalonians 2:11-12, “Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” You have a choice that needs to be made. Consider these things with me