Want the prominence that comes with skill? It won’t be instant
By Dean Collins
Have you noticed that over the years instant has gotten quicker? I remember a product called Instant Breakfast as a teenager. The box had packets of powder that you put in a glass of milk and instantly breakfast was ready. I don’t really think it was quicker than pouring milk over cereal but I fell for it. It wasn’t long before you could just buy a can that was premixed. Pop the top and off you go.
Now instant is just pick up something at Starbucks or the drive-through somewhere. But even at Chick-fil-A that might take three to five minutes. Not much shorter than my milk and cereal, but possibly more nutritious.
Instant career?
Every generation has its weaknesses. I think our Gen Z and probably at least the generation before have expected that career growth and community standing should also be instant. Many want the title and the paycheck ahead of the learning and maturing necessary to be effective.
A careless reading of Proverbs might support this idea of instant success. The writer said if you are skilled in your work you will stand before kings. The implication is you won’t stand before obscure men.
But let’s take a minute and think about this verse. It starts with a question: Do you see a man or woman skilled in their work? I’ll concede that one can be born with talent. But rare is the person who didn’t have to practice and train before they were actually skilled. Being skilled isn’t instant; it’s a process. And it usually takes time to develop. Not microwave time. It might take years of time.
Practice the discipline
We have seen it so often. Highly talented and skilled people are called upon by kings, presidents, the wealthy, and the influential. They are called upon because they are needed to solve problems, create strong communities, and lead organizations. But I can promise you this: Before they were called to stand before kings, they did, in fact, work beside obscure, hard-working people.
If one is willing to do the work and practice the discipline, they very well may be asked to serve before people of prominence. I think ultimately this verse actually fits nicely with something Jesus said. If you want to be great, learn to be a servant of all.
Your time with God’s Word
Proverbs 22:29 ESV
Photo courtesy of Roadsidepictures at Flickr
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