testing.....

"When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, (fame due to the name of the Lord), she came to test him with hard questions."  (1 Kings 10:1)

Have you ever thought about how often we test soemthing?  Or even what things we test?  We have talked about listening, and believing, so I'm thinking we are testing what we hear.  What about how hot, or cold or if we need to heat up or let cool?  We test to see if something is done  - I'm even learning how to use a meat thermometer.  One more question - are you the one doing the testing or are you the one being tested?

Today's readings are about testing.  The Gospel reading, in Luke 10, has an "expert in the law" coming to ask Jesus questions. (Luke 10:25)  Jesus turns the question back, and tells the person "you have answered correctly. Do this...." (v. 28) To which the person has another question "who is my neighbor?" (v. 29) Testing to see what, how much and for whom things are being done.  The reading is Colossians is about believers praying for each other to be living their faith.  I would like, however, for us to focus on the reading in 1 Kings.  The queen of Sheba has traveled a long way to ask Solomon questions.  These would not have been easy questions, they would probably have been in the form of riddles, about Solomon's Lord.  Using Scripture, NOT Hollywood, we can get information about the change in the queen as she understands the difference between the gods in her country and the LORD Solomon believes. 

The interest in the Queen of Sheba comes from the book "It's Good to be Queen" by Liz Curtis Higgs.  It is on the summer reading list and is very informative.  It looks at Solomon, and Solomon's relationship with God, through a little different perspective.  Testing Solomon, yes, but also looking at how we can test, learn, grow, strengthen AND answer when we are asked.  

So....... are we testing?  Are we being tested? Are we asking God?  Are we being asked about OUR God?  Something to think about......