Playing second fiddle

PLAYING SECOND FIDDLE

 

. . . Andrew, Simon Peter's brother . . . first findeth his own brother Simon . . . And he brought him to Jesus (John 1:41-42 KJV).

 

Andrew is almost always referred to as Simon Peter's brother. Constantly living in the shadow of his better known brother, we could say he played "second string."

 

Generally, we have little regard for "second string." I once saw an illustration of that as I watched a football game on TV. A young quarterback was running the team with great success, while the crowd cheered him on. on the sidelines stood the man who had previously been the first-string quarterback. Known by everyone, he had won many honors and was a superstar.

 

But age had begun to catch up with him. Too many hard tackles by gigantic linemen had resulted in injuries. He lost his starting job to the rising new star. There he stood, looking rather dejected, watching someone else get the applause.

 

Unlike the aging football star, Andrew never looked dejected, never resented his brother's position as leader of the apostles. He seemed to understand that it's the second stringers that help make the first stringers what they are. Not everyone can be quarterback and not everyone can play first violin! Andrew may have been "second string," but he was always introducing people to Jesus, including his own brother.

 

Can you play second fiddle effectively?

 

Life response: If I am called upon to play "second string," I will do it with grace and effectiveness.