The death of Whitney Houston has made me reflect on....

I have sat mesmerized by the coverage of Whitney Houston’s funeral services.  I have heard so many famous and important voices.  The voice of Bishop T.D. Jakes and Bishop Winan’s challenged us to come to Christ.  The voices of Kevin Costner and Tyler Perry spoke words of encouragement about Whitney to her family, friends and fans.  The melodic singing voices of BeBe and CiCi Winans, Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, R Kelly and Kim Burrell. 

And of course, the unparalleled and effortlessly beautiful voice of Whitney Houston.   She has even been termed “the Voice”.

Despite the numerous wonderful voices, there is one that I can’t help but wonder about.  I wonder once Whitney took her last breath, and slipped from this world, did she hear the voice of God saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.  Well done.”

I am aware, as we all are, of her struggle with drugs and alcohol.  However, I do believe that she knew Christ as her personal savior.  So she, like all Christians, struggled with sin that displeased God.  So I will not judge or be arrogant enough to think that I am better off in my walk with Christ than she. 

So I wonder, did she hear the voice that we as Christians all long to hear one day.  I pray she did.  But for Whitney, it’s done.  Whether she did or did not, has already been determined.  But not for you and I.  We still have this moment forward, to strive to hear the voice of God say “Well done.”

 In an effort to hear those words from the Father, I choose to forgive today.  I choose to apologize today.   I make the choice to be more diligent in my service for Christ.  As I look at my little boy, I am making the choice to be more intentional about raising him to be kind and compassionate.  I choose to strive for the approval of Christ.

Whitney Houston set and broke records, won many awards, and topped musical charts time and time again.  However, I can be sure that where she is now, no accolade that she received in this life could top the reward of hearing the Most High God tell her “Welcome and well done.”

Thank you Whitney for sharing your voice with the world and thank you for re-centering me in my walk with Christ.

The Easy Way Out

I have not blogged in two weeks.  So I am sure that you are expecting profound and thought provoking discussion.  I apologize in advance if it is a bit of a let down that I am beginning this blog with discussion of peeling an orange.  (Stay with me though, I promise, I'm going somewhere.)

Last week, for the first time in literally months, I peeled and ate an orange.  That might not seem like anything that should  make headlines but for me, that's a "stop the press" kind of event.  Though I absolutely love oranges, I rarely eat them because I hate the process of peeling them.  That awful white matter from the  orange peel gets uncomfortably lodged under my nails and I have to find some random device to dig it out from underneath them.  No matter how far I strategically place the orange away from my face,  juice packed with stinging acid finds the path to my eyes. Even after I vigorously wash my hands, hours later people are asking me if I got a new citrus lotion from Bath and Body works.  It's just not worth it.

Instead of dealing with the "drama" associated with peeling an orange, I just don't eat them.  I choose to miss out on one of my favorite fruits and all of its nutritious value because its too hard.  Instead of dealing with it, I avoid it.

Are there any "orange" areas in your life?  Areas in your life that you consistently choose convenience over commitment? Or ease over effort?  Do you settle for one thing instead of striving for another? 

For example, is there a dream that lays dormant because it would take a considerable amount of time, energy and effort to accomplish?

Is there a strained relationship in your life that you have allowed enough distance and time pass to convince you that its not worth the effort of seeking reconciliation?

Is your marriage functional but not thriving?

Have you opted not to have many friends or get in committed relationships because you would rather be alone than put in the work?

If none of the above areas fit you, then check the areas of your life where you find yourself saying "I should but...", "I need to but..." or "I would love to but ..."

Many times what stands between what we should be accomplishing and our current position, is emotional or physical laziness.  Sounds harsh, but true. 

So today, for me, I have identified two areas of my life where I have allowed the work involved, keep me from the reward promised.  I will have to be more intentional.  Planning ahead will be required.  There is a risk of nonreciprocated emotions.  I will feel at some point over worked and under appreciated.  Many days I will have to force my tired body to go somewhere other than to sleep.  But today, I am choosing to peel back the orange areas of my life and see what fruit awaits me.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 "Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might."
Proverbs 12:24 "Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor."
Proverbs 13:4 "A sluggard's appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied."