Mark the date: Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey went to church today. At exactly 11:00 AM to exactly 2:50 PM, on Saturday, February 18, 2012, Governor Christie attended the funeral of Whitney Houston at New Hope Baptist Church. But no mistake about it, funeral or not, it was an old fashioned church service filled with Christians praising the Lord, praying, in "Jesus' name."
Amid the star studded appearances, Governor Christie bowed his head on cue, perhaps joined the cacophony of "Amens!" each time the name of Jesus was mentioned. Nary a political word was spoken; however, there was enough spirit-filled preaching raised to the rafter to encourage any sinner, even a politician, to repent. Governor Christie was not the only politico there. Front and center sat the Reverend Jesse Jackson.
What is notable about the presence of the two men, so well-known in political circles, is the complete lack of anything political that they did. There was no opportunity to score any voter points at all. For the duration of their attendance, they, like all of the attendees were without their phones, without their computers. They couldn't tweet, they couldn't check in at the office.
If their reasons for attending weren't pure, they were surely disappointed. For one brief moment, Governor Christie was recognized with a standing ovation for lowering state flags to half-mast and holding firm on the decision despite catching some political heat for it.That's a story in and of itself. (See: Chris Christie comes under fire for lowering flags to honor Whitney Houston, Examiner.com, Howard Portnoy)
But this story is about how the family of Whitney Houston dealt with her tragic death. Any Christians watching, no matter their political leanings, have to admit - Houston's family got her funeral as "just right" as Baby Bear's soup.
There was a place for noted celebrities. There was a place for the politicians. There was a celebration of Whitney Houston's life - but first place and last place belonged to the Lord. As mentioned at the beginning of the funeral, they were all in "God's house." And that's as it should be. Would that more politicians spent more of their days in the Lord's house.
The live-stream of the funeral is available, if you want to go to church too.
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