This Icon Helped All Of Us Feel God

It was her mother, Cissy, teaching her how to sing gospel that made Whitney Houston understand what it was to feel music. Feeling the music really meant she was feeling God. 

Gospel was her foundation. Within those sacred notes is where she learned to trust God. 

Even after her church girl days were done, Whitney Houston continued to incorporate her faith into her music. From praying before each show to fusing gospel with pop and R&B, Houston never let us forget she was a child of God.

Houston believed her voice was a gift from God. Isn’t singing just praying set to music?

God was so present within Houston’s music. Songs like “Step by Step,” were really Houston inviting us to hear her testimony with lyrics like "Oh, but I won't let my spirit fail me / Oh, I won't let my spirit go.” 

What has helped you to trust in God? Was it singing? Reading Psalms? Committing to service work? Having your prayers answered?

Trusting in God is divine love in action. Loving action rooted in faith is the one way we make Black liberated futures possible.