Playing Second Fiddle

Many people in our world are motivated by praise of others, that is not a
bad thing if dealt with properly. After all, the scripture repeatedly
reminds us to encourage and exhort one another. Some folks though live their
lives in search of, perhaps in pursuit of praise from the lips or pens of
men and women. I have known people who have such an ego that they cannot
function if there is someone who does not appreciate them. It may be of
interest to know that the word "Ego" originated from the Latin word for "I".
This can be understood by listening to the conversation of a problem with an
"ego problem". You will find that the word "I" is used repeatedly as if they
are the center of all there is.

Leonard Bernstein, the celebrated orchestra conductor, was asked, "what is
the hardest instrument to play?" He replied without hesitation: "Second
fiddle. I can always get plenty of first violinists, but to find one who
plays second violin with as much enthusiasm or second French horn or second
flute, now that's a problem. And yet if no one plays second, we have no
harmony."

How are you at "playing second fiddle"? You see, God's church only functions
properly if people work "in the background" or "behind the scenes" playing
"second fiddle" without recognition. I thank God for all of the men and
women within His church who are not grasping for recognition, who are
willing to work quietly in the background. They are happy to serve God for
his recognition, not for the recognition of others.

In Romans 12:3 Paul gives us this instruction: "For I say, through the
grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself
more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God
has dealt to every man the measure of faith." In other words, we are all
equal in God's eyes and we should be happy just knowing that.

Pride is a terrible thing and has proven to be the downfall of many people.
The common saying we here is "Pride goes before a fall". This is actually a
bible principle. The writer of Proverbs 16:18 warns us: "Pride goes before
destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." Pride causes some to view
others as less worth, less valuable to God and our world, than they
themselves are. Pride causes some to abuse or misuse someone they should
cherish as God's creation. Pride causes some to be lost because they won't
submit themselves to God. Perhaps some just cannot make themselves serve God
without the praise of men.

The truth is though, that there is only one worthy of our praise and it
surely isn't us. Revelation 4:11 was written to help us understand that
point. John wrote: "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and
power: for YOU have created all things, and for YOUR pleasure they are and
were created."

You see, playing second fiddle is not a bad thing. It doesn't become a
problem unless we do think of ourselves as being "just a little better" than
someone else. We will understand that point if we keep our egos, our desire
to see "I" as being of first importance, under control. James said it this
way, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee
from you," (James 4:7). God and His church need you to be the support and
encouragement to others, not one that gets their feelings hurt because you
were not recognized (i.e. "They didn't speak to me today"). Are you willing
to play second fiddle if that's what it takes to be a blessing to God and
His church? It may just take that, if your church to have (and produce) the
harmony God desires.

-- Russ Lawson