Skip to main content

Ways to Cultivate a Spirit of Excellence

The biblical story about the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon is an intriguing and memorable encounter between royalty. It depicts a tale of wisdom, wealth, and the relentless pursuit of understanding, all set against a royal meeting that has captivated minds for centuries.

The Queen of Sheba was impressed by the wisdom of King Solomon (not merely intellectual prowess, but a gift from God) and the excellence depicted throughout his kingdom, and this biblical story offers several lessons we can use to cultivate a spirit of excellence in our daily lives:
  1. Pursue knowledge actively: Like the Queen of Sheba, we should go out of our way to seek wisdom and understanding (e.g., reading widely, engaging in challenging conversations, or seeking mentors).
  2. Ask probing questions: Don't be afraid to ask difficult questions to pursue knowledge and truth. The Queen of Sheba came prepared with "challenging questions" to verify Solomon's wisdom because learning can come from conversations and deep inquiries.
  3. Verify information firsthand: The Queen of Sheba wasn't content with secondhand news about Solomon's wisdom, so she traveled a great distance to witness for herself. Like the Queen of Sheeba, we should strive to validate important information instead of relying solely on hearsay.
  4. Please pay attention to details: The Queen was impressed by King Solomon's wisdom and the order of excellence she observed in his kingdom. This teaches us to pay attention to the details in our work, home, and personal lives.
  5. Strive for excellence in all areas: The Queen's reaction shows that excellence should extend to all aspects of our lives - from how we manage our affairs to how we treat others and steward our resources.
  6. Recognize the source of wisdom: While we should pursue knowledge, it's important to remember the highest wisdom often comes from spiritual insight, and we should acknowledge the divine source of our abilities and blessings.
  7. Apply wisdom practically: True wisdom isn't just about having knowledge but applying it to create order, excellence, and prosperity in our lives and communities.
  8. Be generous: The mutual exchange of gifts between Solomon and the Queen illustrates true excellence involves generosity and sharing resources. Inspire others: Our pursuit of excellence can inspire those around us, just as Solomon's wisdom and wealth impressed the Queen of Sheba.
  9. Continually improve: The spirit of excellence involves constantly striving to better ourselves and our work, not settling for mediocrity.

Incorporating these steps into our daily lives can cultivate a spirit of excellence that improves our lives and positively impacts those around us.

Comments