Tuesday, June 14, 2011

In Order, Your Order

1 Kings 10:8
How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!

No, I don’t have OCD, but let’s just say I’m visually particular. Two years of monitoring the ladies in our school’s dorm could have birthed it. I had to check if their dustings are well done, if they emptied their mailboxes, if they’re sitting upright during devotion time, and if their shoes are aligned. Now my family knows mom is restless when there’s a toy left on the floor, when they don’t finish their meal to the last rice, and when there’s peanut butter left on the spoon! Tris says it’s my unnecessary stress. I say, ‘then help me clean it up’, hahaha :>  Orderliness is my idea of a happy place to be in. 

Everything the Queen of Sheba found in Solomon’s courts we’re in order, thus exemplary. From the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, to his offerings made at the temple – all carefully designed and discharged. She was so astonished at the sight of it all, as we would in a museum or art galleries (assuming we all love art, haha). This is what exceeded her expectations. All she heard was the king’s fame in relation to his wisdom and his God, now she’s seeing his reason and religion applied. ‘What a happy place to be in!’ She ended her visit praising God – both for giving Solomon the kingdom and for Israel, for having him as king.  All played their part in making the court worthy for God’s praise.  No one thought his work as insignificant which could make a face frown. No one served half-heartedly which is a bad shrill when all else is in sync. Ever been to a nice hotel or restaurant with poor costumer service? Who cares about superb amenities when your people’s a complete turn off :< It was curiosity to Solomon’s big words that brought the queen to that court, but it was everybody’s big work that made her leave beyond content. 

We are all part of a whole. A family member, an employee, a student, a church member, a team player, a friend. The ear can’t say ‘Well, I’m not an eye’ or ‘Who cares about the eye?’ Both self-pity and self-absorption destroys the image of the whole.  We don’t make hasty decisions with the rudeness of ‘this is my life’ script. Here’s a scenario: we are all created beings in the courts of God, and the world is our visitor. God’s fame reached them – His prudence, His provisions, His power. Hearing from God Himself, they were all impressed. Now a tour of His Word applied. What will they see when they visit our homes, our workplace, and our churches? Will it match the ones God said to be His kingdom policies? Will they leave His courts in praise and beyond content? Will they say ‘What a happy place to be in’?  
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In Order, Your Order

1 Kings 10:8
How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!

No, I don’t have OCD, but let’s just say I’m visually particular. Two years of monitoring the ladies in our school’s dorm could have birthed it. I had to check if their dustings are well done, if they emptied their mailboxes, if they’re sitting upright during devotion time, and if their shoes are aligned. Now my family knows mom is restless when there’s a toy left on the floor, when they don’t finish their meal to the last rice, and when there’s peanut butter left on the spoon! Tris says it’s my unnecessary stress. I say, ‘then help me clean it up’, hahaha :>  Orderliness is my idea of a happy place to be in. 

Everything the Queen of Sheba found in Solomon’s courts we’re in order, thus exemplary. From the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, to his offerings made at the temple – all carefully designed and discharged. She was so astonished at the sight of it all, as we would in a museum or art galleries (assuming we all love art, haha). This is what exceeded her expectations. All she heard was the king’s fame in relation to his wisdom and his God, now she’s seeing his reason and religion applied. ‘What a happy place to be in!’ She ended her visit praising God – both for giving Solomon the kingdom and for Israel, for having him as king.  All played their part in making the court worthy for God’s praise.  No one thought his work as insignificant which could make a face frown. No one served half-heartedly which is a bad shrill when all else is in sync. Ever been to a nice hotel or restaurant with poor costumer service? Who cares about superb amenities when your people’s a complete turn off :< It was curiosity to Solomon’s big words that brought the queen to that court, but it was everybody’s big work that made her leave beyond content. 

We are all part of a whole. A family member, an employee, a student, a church member, a team player, a friend. The ear can’t say ‘Well, I’m not an eye’ or ‘Who cares about the eye?’ Both self-pity and self-absorption destroys the image of the whole.  We don’t make hasty decisions with the rudeness of ‘this is my life’ script. Here’s a scenario: we are all created beings in the courts of God, and the world is our visitor. God’s fame reached them – His prudence, His provisions, His power. Hearing from God Himself, they were all impressed. Now a tour of His Word applied. What will they see when they visit our homes, our workplace, and our churches? Will it match the ones God said to be His kingdom policies? Will they leave His courts in praise and beyond content? Will they say ‘What a happy place to be in’?