The Role of Second Best Position - Part II
by Dr. John Tetsola

 

Last month we shared how the body of Christ is often more inclined to gravitate towards being number one, when in reality, not all of us are called to be number one. This misconception often causes many believers to undermine and disregard the significance of their role in the second best position. Last month we also saw that David was a classic example of a second best leader. Before and after his confirmation as the next king of Israel, he continued to serve as second best under Saul. He never took advantage of Saul’s weaknesses to usurp his throne, and faithfully waited on God to promote him to first string. Now, let’s look at the significance of understanding the role of the second best as we observe the difference between gifting and calling.

GIFTING VERSUS CALLING

Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war.

They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.

And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;

All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.
I Chronicles 12:1-2, 8, 38

Because of his faithfulness in serving Saul while in the second best position, it was not surprising that when David eventually became a first string leader, God brought faithful second best leaders into his life to help him accomplish his assignment. The mighty men who came to David in Ziklag were extremely talented leaders who, in the sight of man, had the ability to play first string. They were fierce and swift warriors fit for battle, many of whom were ambidextrous and could hurl stones and shoot arrows second to none. But as gifted and anointed as they were, they recognized that they were not called to play first string. Therefore, they came to undergird the anointing and vision of David. The mighty men who came to David were not called as the main leaders to lead Israel. They were called to a supportive role which they recognized and accepted. They were secure in their anointing and talents and were willing to submit under the leadership of David and play secondary roles. This is incredible. They realized that in spite of the fact that they were gifted and talented, they were not called to run a ministry, but they knew that David was called. These men were willing to rally around David to make him king. They were willing to promote the agenda of the senior man (David) above theirs. They were excited to connect with David to birth his vision. That is the anointing of the second best. These kinds of men are hard to find, but they can be found. And when they are found and positioned properly, they strengthen the leadership and refresh the heart of the set man in their lives.

The tendency to believe that number two is never best for us is often a struggle that the second best man or woman experiences. They often feel that they’re automatically called to become a senior leader due to their gifting. Because of the lack of good apostolic teaching in this area, many have made the mistake of walking away from the leaders, teams and churches that they were called of God to assist in accomplishing vision. And as a result, many end up either shipwrecked or enjoying a much lesser sphere of influence than what God intended.