Written By Lesallan – August 23, 2023
Lesallan
Ohio Christian University
BIB3510 Gospels: Luke (ONLF23)
Professor Daniel Rickett
August 23, 2023
To play second fiddle to Jesus in and with our lives means following His example of humility, service, and obedience to God. We must recognize that Jesus is the Lord and the world’s Savior. We, as people, are His disciples who have been called to share his love and truth with others. This calling means to put His will above our own and seek His glory rather than our own.
The Christian New Testament provides us with valuable examples of humility and service. John the Baptist humbly prepared the way for Jesus, recognizing his own place as secondary to the Son of God. Similarly, Mary accepted her role as a servant of the Lord, rejoicing in His plan and magnifying His greatness. These examples remind us of the importance of putting aside our own desires and ambitions in service to a higher purpose, and the joy that comes from doing so.
The apostles left everything to follow Jesus and became his witnesses to the ends of the earth. They said, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29, ESV). They also said, “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bondservants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5, ESV). The martyrs gave their lives for the Gospel’s sake and did not love their lives even unto death. They said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21, ESV). They also said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7, ESV).
Living a second-fiddle lifestyle can be challenging in many ways. We may always feel neglected, unappreciated, or invisible by the person or thing that takes priority over us, whether a spouse or significant other. We may always feel like we are always playing a supporting role and never getting the recognition or attention we deserve. We may also feel like we must sacrifice our own needs, desires, and dreams for the sake of the other person or thing.
Sometimes, we resent and must deal with jealousy or anger towards the person or thing that takes precedence over us. It is possible that we perceive ourselves to be on the receiving end of unfair or unjust treatment from the entity that holds sway over our existence. We may also feel like we are missing opportunities or experiences from which we would otherwise benefit.
We all struggle with self-esteem, identity, or purpose issues and sometimes we may feel like we are not good enough, worthy enough, or important enough to be the first choice or the focus of someone or something. At times, we may also feel like we do not have a clear sense of who we are, what we want, or what we are meant to do in life. However, God has a purpose and plan for us all; sometimes, His plan is not always clear. The Book of Jeremiah states this clearly, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV).
Yes, there are times that we may feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or hopeless by the demands, expectations, or pressures of living a second-fiddle lifestyle. We may also feel isolated, lonely, or unhappy by our life’s lack of support, connection, or fulfillment. These are some of the biggest challenges to living a second-fiddle lifestyle. However, they are not insurmountable. There are ways to overcome them and live a more balanced, healthy, and satisfying life.
I hope this devotional helps you understand what it means to live a second-fiddle lifestyle and how to cope with it. May God bless you as you seek Him and serve Him. We must never forget that we are nothing but pawns on this earth and have been sent to play second fiddle to Jesus, our world’s Savior. We must ask God to show us how we can play the second fiddle to Jesus in our own life. Ultimately, God will guide you and empower you by His Holy Spirit.
Blessings,
Lesallan
