Do you see a man skilled in his work?  He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men (Proverbs 22:29).

This Proverb seems to speak to the dreams and desires of every inner-city basketballer and suburban garage band guitarist.  It holds out hope that no amount of obscurity, no amount of odds stacked against them, no amount of over-exposure or under-exposure can keep a true star from shining.  If they really are skilled and truly talented, they will get to do their thing on the highest levels.

For me, though, when I read this Proverb I'm not sure if I should feel reassured or unsettled.  Because in all honesty, I typically feel like I'm pretty well-settled on the Island of Obscuritania at this point in my life.  I gave up on sports and music long ago.  I don't particularly have the ambition to rise the ranks of business or politics.  And of the things into which I have invested my life, nothing that I do is particularly noteworthy:  pastor of a relatively small church congregation, writer of poorly-circulated stories, "decent guy" but not much more than that.  So does this mean that I'm not skilled, according to Proverbs 22:29?  Or does it simply mean that it's not yet my time?

Either way, I find encouragement in the words of Proverbs 22:29.  Regardless of my future prospects, it's comforting to know that I don't have to saddle myself with the pressures of becoming some kind of "self-made man."  If I AM ever going to become famous, or widely-circulated, or influential on a grander scale -- it will not be because of my clever, calculated campaigns.  It will be because of my skill rising to the top, like the cream from a bucket of fresh, whole milk.

Is this a fatalistic way of thinking?  I don't know... But I feel that it leads to a more reasonable, healthy lifestyle.  If my skills are intended for royal purposes, then they will find their way to express themselves.  If it's meant to be, it will be.  And if not, it will not.  I can also remember that if my children ever try to pursue dreams of sports stardom or musical greatness, I can also let their ambitions run their course.

To me, there's something both relaxing and empowering in this Proverb.  But how do you read it?