Known as one of the greatest voices of the 21st century, Whitney Houston was, at times, full of doubt. She wondered if she was “good enough”.
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” Psalm 139:12-14 “
Unlike many, I did not watch the full funeral of Whitney Houston. Instead I only saw five minutes of the funeral where Kevin Costner spoke about the friendship and common bond held between him and Whitney Houston. His speech was eloquent and left all with the very real understanding of Whitney Houston’s humanity.
The one thing that struck me repeatedly in his recollection of Ms. Houston was the self doubt she faced as an actress, as an artist, and as a woman. Known as one of the greatest voices of the 21st century, listening to Kevin Costner and even Ms. Houston herself through interviews, you get the sense that her world was, at times, full of doubt. She wondered if she was “good enough”. Good Enough.
As I heard those words, I was struck with how often I have thought those same things about myself and how I had heard similar thoughts expressed from family, friends, and even strangers. It would seem that the thing that ties humanity is in fact our humanity. The need to know that we are cute enough, good enough, fast enough, smart enough…just enough…for whatever we measure ourselves by. We all have our “enough” moments and for some, those moments turn into ruling passions that push us to so called greatness and for others they cause us to constantly seek affirmation from people that seek to become the same thing we do, good enough.
At the end of Mr. Costner’s speech, he made a statement that was so simple it was profound. He stated that now, standing before the Lord, Whitney Houston would finally recognize that she was “good enough”.
The greatest lover, the Creator, would be able to affirm what Ms. Houston always sought, what I have sought and what you have sought; that we are good enough. Well, what so many of us fail to recognize is that we don’t have to wait to stand before God to find that out. Instead, since the beginning of time, God has whispered to us that we are.
You see we are good enough because God made us. Psalm 139 is one of the most beautiful passages of scripture because it shows us how we were created and accepted. God knew us in our mother’s wombs (v.13). He knew our failures; He knew our successes (v. 16); He knew our disappointments and yet Our Father, created us anyway (v.3). There is no thought that we have that He is not aware of (v. 4) but He created us still. We are made in His image (Gen.1:27) and in that we are enough….more than enough.
Whatever you struggle in or with; however you may find the enemy using your mind as a battlefield of doubt, know that you are more than enough. You are a marvelous work and skillfully made wonder (v. 15) of God. No one can take that from you, but only you can accept and embrace it.
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Passionate, Loving, Loyal, Engaging, Obedient, and Direct are words often used to describe Shaniqua Rischer. However, the words she loves to be known for the most are Christian and daughter of the Most High God.
Shaniqua Rischer was born and raised in Dallas, TX, and is the youngest of three children. Her father was an educator and she grew up in a family where education was emphasized as the foundation for success. At the age of 22, Shaniqua dedicated her life to Christ and has been on a quest for a closer relationship with God ever since that time. "To live a life of faith and to be of service to all I meet is my ultimate desire" says Shaniqua.
Having struggled with low self-esteem, feelings of unworthiness and inadequacies, abject fear, and not knowing how to serve, love, and follow a God she could not see or feel made her tap into her inquisitive nature. Shaniqua has always been the type of person to ask why. She learned to never rely solely on the answer given, but to delve deeper and to question what she was told and taught. Shaniqua approached her relationship with Christ as she would any person she met � she started talking and asking why. Through intimate prayer and conversations with God, she gained a clearer understanding of the struggles many Christians face. The struggles include the responsibility of being called Christian; knowing what we are supposed to do, but too afraid to act or not knowing how to break free of the bondage that holds us captive. She has discovered a love un-like anything she has ever known, experienced favor that can only come from the Lord, and discovered what it means to finally let her guard down and let God be the center of her life. The result has been the development of a person that dares to be extraordinary and move beyond fear to faith.
While on a mission trip to Kenya in 2009, her global vision was formed to impact others. As a result, At The Cross Global Ministries was born. Shaniqua shares her experiences and lessons of faith in a direct and open manner, full of compassion, challenge and optimism. Currently, Ms. Rischer serves as the Executive Director of At The Cross Global Ministries and dedicates her life to being the hands and feet of Christ.
In February 2011, Shaniqua began publishing weekly devotionals under GreatIs.org an intercessory prayer site. Through this site, people can submit their requests for prayer and Ms. Rischer inspires many to continue their faith walk by sharing her personal struggles and walk with God.
With more than 10 years experience working with nonprofit organizations and an extensive background in program development, partnership collaboration, and fundraising, she has taken her experience and incorporated At The Cross Global Ministries. Shaniqua holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts Degree in Christian Education from Dallas Baptist University.