The Struggles of the Second Best Position - Part IV
by Dr. John Tetsola

 

Last month we saw how talent does not automatically qualify you to play first string. A man may be very gifted and talented, yet lack the call of God and the building anointing. We also saw that only Aaron’s rod budded (Num. 17:8), which signifies that not everyone is called to function as a first string leader. Now, let’s look at three key struggles that every second best person must resolve in order to walk effectively in the second best position.

For thou hast said in thine heart…I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Isaiah 14:13a-14

A major struggle of many in the second best position is in learning to be secure in their placement. The spirit of Lucifer is never content with his position, and its downfall is the hidden motive of the heart. When you’re secure in your position, you won’t be chasing ten different opportunities for personal advancement. Instead, you’ll dig in and become excellent in your God-given position. When you know your placement and are secure in it, you are divinely positioned for impartation and strategically placed to be the best you could ever be.

Second, you must avoid a position-oriented approach to life. When you stop seeing your position as a stepping stone to climbing the ladder, that is when you start being elevated. Don’t make decisions based on whether or not it will help you climb the ladder. Make a decision because it’s the right thing to do. When you lose position consciousness, you can say no to a lot of different opportunities that would ultimately take you off track. Several things happen when you’re no longer position conscious. FIRST, you become free from the pull of your ego. This helps you gain control of your decision making. SECOND, you become God driven and not self driven, and your decisions are now based on God’s will and not your own. THIRD, you blossom where you serve because you have no hidden agenda and you serve out of pure motives.

THE FEAR OF BEING ABUSED

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

A third struggle with many second best men is the fear of being used by leadership for their personal agenda. This is a common struggle, especially with those who previously experienced the abuse of power by the hands of the leaders they previously served. The danger with this struggle is that a second best man will always hold back his best in gifting and ability due to the fear of being exploited and abused. This then prevents him from receiving proper impartation from his leader. True impartation can never take place in an atmosphere of distrust, fear and suspicion. Fear of abuse creates distrust in a relationship. And without a healthy relationship between a second best man and his senior leader, he or she cannot effectively serve and become entitled to a reward. I have seen this happen many times. Men who come into a house and serve with a distrustful heart because of the pain of a previous leader end up disconnecting really quickly. They are never thoroughly committed and are always on the fence.

So commit to the second best position, and never believe that playing second best means someone owns you. That’s the trick of the enemy to lure you from your rightful place. Instead, be secure in your placement, avoid being position conscious, get over the fear of being used, and witness the will of God from serving in the second best position.