Exceeding Expectations
“She said to the king, ‘the report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have
far exceeded the report I heard’” (1 Kings 10:6-8).
“I’m shocked,” said the woman on the phone. “I’ve just seen your picture. I was expecting a grey haired old man. You are too young to have the wisdom that I read in your messages.”
When people meet you, or experience your work life skills, would they say that you far exceeded their expectations? Do you undersell and over produce, or oversell and under produce? Solomon’s wisdom far exceeded any man’s wisdom and it was evident to others. When people come in contact with you do they come away with a sense of greater appreciation of you after meeting you?
“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men” (Prov 22:29). Whenever we exceed the expectations of man, we bring glory to our Heavenly Father and He often elevates us among men.
Bezalel was a man who designed the ark of the covenant for Moses because God handpicked him to design it because of his exceptional skill. Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts – to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others” (Ex 35:30-35).
If there were a Kingdom project to be done would God recommend you for the job? God calls you and me to live our lives and do our work with excellence.
