That Doesn't Just HappenSample

The Queen of Sheba would soon find out that Solomon's wisdom and everything he had built would blow away her expectations. Everybody has expectations—certain standards of excellence that are either spoken or unspoken. We walk into a restaurant, a church, or a business establishment, and we all have expectations. We may not have articulated them, but it is undeniable that they exist.

The question is whether we deliver on people’s expectations based on our assumptions, or do we take those assumptions and go above and beyond people’s expectations? Are we getting a “wow!” or a “meh”? I wonder what emojis the queen would have used if she had them in her day? Would it have been the one with the mind blown, the bunny waving his arms and jumping in the air, or the hearts in the eyes? In fact, it sounds like there were not enough emojis or words to express her feelings; 1 Kings 10:5 talks about taking her breath away. She was at a loss for words. Today she would summarize her reaction as #NoWords. She was indeed speechless. Who does that? Who has the ability to amaze a queen? Solomon.

Part of exceeding expectations is the anticipation factor. Are we listening and attentive, even eavesdropping on our customers’ desires and wishes? Today more than ever, it’s not one-size-fits-all. It’s the flexibility to allow someone to order something that isn’t on the menu or simply accommodating a special adjustment in the normal combo lunch special. Anticipation and flexibility are key. They were important in the past, but in 21st-century reality, they are imperative.

Let’s endeavor to build churches, businesses, and organizations that show off the Creator’s creative genius and inspiration in what we do because of our excellence, and let’s continue to go to the next level in every area. Let’s build something that can handle and endure shifting economies and geopolitical adjustments. Something that is not just weatherproof, but even pandemic proof. It has to leave a lasting impression, and it starts with our teams and our people.