The cause of death is officially uncertain or unpublished, but most are fairly certain that the tragedy had to do with drug and alcohol abuse and addition – something Houston had been struggling with for a good while at the time of her death.
According to the Wikipedia online dictionary, Whitney Elizabeth Houston, born August 9, 1963, was an American recording artist, actress, producer, and model. In 2009, the Guinness World Records cited her as the most awarded female act of all time. She was also one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 170 million albums, singles and videos world-wide. She released seven studio albums and three movie soundtrack albums, all of which have diamond, multi- platinum, platinum or gold certification.
Houston was also the only artist to chart seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits. She is the second artist behind Elton John, and the only female artist, to have two number-one Billboard 200 Album awards on the Billboard magazine year-end charts. Her 1985 debut album became the best-selling debut album by a female act at the time of its release. Her second studio album in 1987 became the first album by a female artist to debut a number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Hers was an amazingly impressive resume by any standard!
Whitney Houston’s death, at just age 48, was a tragedy. But it was equally a vivid reminder that fame and fortune do not buy peace and purpose in this life. Some of the more honest of the rich and famous will admit that their material wealth and notoriety have never brought them true happiness. Some might even reveal that, at times, it is even a hardship or a literal curse. The case involving Houston may be just one more high profile illustration of the reality of this exact problem. She truly had it all. But then she tragically and suddenly lost it all – or as the title asks, did she?
Some are unaware that Whitney was brought up in a Bible believing Baptist church where her singing talents were first noticed and nurtured. This may well have been her start that would ultimately lead to her eventual super stardom. But there was something that far over shadowed all of the glamour and the many impressive life achievements mentioned above.
During her four-hour long memorial service at the New Hope Baptist church in New Jersey, several evangelical Christian leaders spoke about Houston’s spiritual status. Those who knew her best, in this context, stated that Whitney was without question a born-again believer despite the sad circumstances seen in her later years. So it is probable that, although she lost all her earthly fame and fortune, that she is now in the presence of the Lord and the Savior – the One who forgives all sin for every true believer.And if there is a primary spiritual lesson to be gleaned by the premature departure of Whitney Houston, it is that even those redeemed by faith in Christ, and who possess eternal life, must still be careful as they venture through life this side of heaven. Peter warned a young New Testament church in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Then too, Paul spoke of the tendency of taking sin too lightly and overestimating one’s own ability to avoid temptation. In 1 Corinthians chapter ten and verse 12 he declared, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
Until Christ returns for his redeemed Church, and puts an end to sin for them forever, Christians must remain firmly on their guard. They must attempt to remember the failure and fate of a Whitney Houston. And they must continue to firmly lean on the power of the Holy Spirit to avoid the destructive pitfalls of their soul’s enemy while they fully serve the One who sacrificed Himself to forgive and save them. (Ephesians 2:10)
“That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.” (2 Timothy 1:14)
Bill Breckenridge
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