Up until several weeks ago, I’d always assumed the Queen of Sheba was a prideful, full-of-herself kind of gal. Someone I couldn’t identify with, and definitely not the warm relatable mama type.
I’d heard the comments. I’d heard the snarky remarks:
Well, look at her. Strutting around like she thinks she’s the Queen of Sheba.
I just knew I didn’t want to be like that arrogant ol’ queen.
Until I read It’s Good to Be Queen by Liz Curtis Higgs.
Whoa boy! (Or maybe I should say, “Whoa girl!”) Did I ever change my tune. Suddenly the woman who had seemed so out there with her fingers dripping in precious stones and her caravans of spices, metamorphosed into someone I looked up to. A real hero of faith.
This woman. Wow. Just wow.
Now to back up a bit for those of us who need a little history refresher, the Queen of Sheba was a famous visitor to the wisest king who ever lived: King Solomon (son of King David – of David and Goliath fame). She was a curious sort who left her homeland to pay a little visit to the renowned king. Now, not only did she come bearing gifts, but she also came armed with an overabundance of tough questions.
Once she arrived in Jerusalem, she set about her task of interrogating the king.
But it wasn’t just Solomon’s wisdom that astounded the queen. As she immersed herself in his wealth, his wisdom, his faith, and his vast empire … she was overwhelmed. It was all done with such care. With such calculated skill. Even those matters some would deem unimportant, like the seating of the palace officials, Solomon did with deliberate precision and thoughtfulness.
No longer was she the braggy Queen of Sheba. She was a woman in awe. A humbled woman. Here was someone serving something greater than anything she had ever known to exist. She recognized a power bigger than herself. Bigger than the gods of her homeland. Bigger than all of Israel. She was seeing firsthand the secret behind the success of Solomon. He was fueled by a Superior Source. In fact, it wasn’t him at all. It was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
And so she did what we all should do upon seeing the fingerprints of God. She praised.
She had discovered the greatest treasure of all.
And out of the overflow of her heart, she graciously gave. And she humbly received.
Now you may be asking yourself, “What does this story have to do with me?”
Well, quite honestly, everything.
We mamas can get so overwhelmed and overloaded with all the to-do’s of our day that we forget about the fullness that comes from a relationship with Christ. The richness and power of time spent with Him. Time in His Word. Time in prayer. And as we deliberately spend time with Him, His peace begins to flow in and around our hearts. The abundance and depth of His love becomes increasingly clear. And out of the overflow, our hearts respond by oozing out the fruits of the Spirit on everything and everyone we meet.
Sheba learned that lesson firsthand. That wisdom, courage, and graciousness flows from a heart plugged in to the Source of all life.
She became one wise woman because of one bold and daring encounter with the King of Kings.
I want to be that kind of woman too. Don’t you?
For more information on It’s Good to Be Queen, visit www.itsgoodtobequeen.me
{I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.}
Anne-Renee Gumley
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Good Morning, Anne-Renee!
WOW!!! I had never thought about the Queen of Sheba in that perspective before. I too always thought of her as a nose-in-the-air type of gal, dressed prettily, never having a “bad” hair day, always put together, all sorts of pretty bracelets, earrings and necklaces on her fingers/arms/neck. Let’s face it, she seemed always “put together” if you will. You have made me want to look more deeply into her story now. Truth to be told, I was never crazy about her because of what I “thought” her to be. I’m a single 30 year old gal, but there are days I have “bad” hair days where I do nothing but pull my hair back into a rubber band, and I roll out of my bed and throw on a grubby old pair of jeans and an old shirt. I always thought with the Queen of Sheba dressed so beautiful, that I could never identify or relate to her. I might have to look for my own copy of “It’s Good to Be Queen” sometime. Oh, and today, I am anything but put together. I am wearing an old pair of jeans, an old t-shirt and socks. I do not have Queen of Sheba attire on, but that’s okay:-) Thank you for sharing.
In Christ,
Bethany