Sunday, February 19, 2012

Whitney Houston....

Yesterday, the world wept as we celebrated the home going of the music icon, Whitney Houston. Today, as we struggle to come to terms with her untimely death, we also attempt to find meaning behind it. Millions of people, from various cultural, spiritual and socioeconomic backgrounds, were brought together by a common love for her music. Those same cultures, spiritual beliefs, and socioeconomic backgrounds have largely influenced the sense we’ve made of this.
From a Christian perspective, her death was all a part of God’s will for her life. We are thankful for the gifts and talents that He blessed her with. Even more so, we are grateful that she decided to share those gifts and talents with the world. Her peaks were decorated with more accomplishments than most artists will ever experience in their careers. Her valleys, doused with the struggles of addiction. Both her peaks and valleys were all tailored to her life and made to bring glory to the name of Jesus. One thing that I can infer from all the things that were posthumously said about Whitney is that she loved the Lord. No matter what she was struggling with or trying to let go of, she didn’t let that compromise her love for Jesus. There is something so powerful in knowing that.
From a worldly perspective, her death should have made people realize that death doesn’t escape anyone. It doesn’t matter how famous or wealthy you are. Often times, I think people have a misconception and even a false sense of security from death as a result of their status in life. More and more, it is becoming clear that this is not the case. None of us, rich or poor, are immortal and we all must meet death one day.
Others may have viewed her death as a direct result of the lifestyle we all assumed she lived. I know the initial response when everyone found out about her death, whether spoken or unspoken, was that she overdosed. Some may have even blamed the person who she chose to give her heart to for her demise. Life is definitely affected by the choices we make. It is imperative that we always remain cognizant of that fact.
No matter whose perspective is most accurate there are some very important truths that can be derived from her death. First and foremost, we need to stop taking life for granted and glorify God in everything that we do. Not a second, minute or hour is promised to us and we should act accordingly. Secondly, we need to make sure that we regularly express our love and appreciation for people while they are still living. Those of us who ignore text messages and phone calls when loved ones reach out to us need to realize that that may be the last chance you get to speak with them. You can’t assume that you’ll get a chance to speak to that person when you’re in the mood to talk—that chance may never come. Finally, we need to utilize our gifts and talents by sharing them with the world. They are to be used to lift up His name and to help other people. After all, that is why God gave them to us and that is the very reason He is allowing us to breathe another breath.

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