King Solomon ruled Israel from about 970-930 B.C., and during that time, God blessed him greatly.聽
In fact, people were talking about him so highly that the Queen of the kingdom of Sheba decided to pay him a visit to see if what she had heard was true.
After travelling 1,500 miles and spending several days with Solomon, she said, 鈥淭he report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard ... praise be to the Lord your God鈥� (2 Chronicles 9:5-8).
I like the fact that the queen is even more impressed with Solomon after spending time with him. It is one thing to look good from afar, but it is another to maintain that image when people get to know you. Solomon was who he appeared to be.
I also like that that Solomon used his life to point people to God. When the queen gets to know Solomon, she wants to get to know his God as well.
I think this is a pattern for how things are supposed to work. Jesus said to his followers, 鈥淵ou are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven鈥� (Matthew 5:14-16).聽
When people look at your life, they should be able to see God and his goodness in it.
The bottom line is that the Christian life is supposed to be an attractive thing. As people get to know us, they should want to learn more about our God, not less. If we are living our faith in a way that does anything other than display the grace, joy, peace and love of God, we are doing something wrong.
As much as it depends on you, people ought to be talking about you and the God you serve for all the right reasons.
