The Battle

People who know me well know I like the "legends"... Michael Jackson, Madonna, Cher, Whitney. My friends made fun of me growing up and my husband always says, "I didn't think anyone really listened to this stuff." LOL But I'll admit it, Jackson 5 is probably my favorite band, I thoroughly enjoyed the Superbowl halftime show this year, I do a killer Cher impression, and I've sung "I Will Always Love You" around the house more times to count. So when another legendary entertainer dies to (most likely) drug overdose, of course I was seriously saddened.

But unlike my other divas and kings, Whitney's heart was strong for the Lord. She always talked openly about her faith in God, and has some beautiful, only like Whitney could sing em, Gospel songs ("I Look to You" & "I Go to The Rock" are my favs). A couple years back she talked on Oprah about her struggles with drugs.. 

Oprah: Would you just sit in your room and do drugs?

Whitney: Yeah. Talk on the phone. Watch TV. Listen to gospel. I would still read my Bible, amazingly enough. I would still read my Bible. I still had it in me. I knew God was there. I knew the light was there and I was just trying to get back to it. I just kept trying to get back to that spirituality.

Today I heard a message that said something along the lines of... "Repentance is not so much "saying sorry", but instead surrendering." All of us need the reminder that repentance isn't a one-and-done kind of thing, but is more of a daily handing-over of one's self. Just take a look at Steps 1-7 in AA and apply it to any sin or struggle; that's repentance.

It's been rumored that the last performance Whitney gave was a casual rendition of "Jesus Loves Me." The video above is a live version of the song from 1994, perhaps around the peak of her cocaine usage. Yet she still knew Jesus Loved Her, even in her mess. Sadly, Whitney may not have "won" her battle, but oh how we need to remember that the battle is not ours, it's the Lord's. So give it over to Him, again, and again, and again, and watch Him make a blessing out of your repentance. 

Hosea 14:1-2

Repentance to Bring Blessing

Return, Israel, to the LORD your God. 

   Your sins have been your downfall! 

Take words with you 

   and return to the LORD. 

Say to him: 

   “Forgive all our sins 

and receive us graciously, 

   that we may offer the fruit of our lips..