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

 

Last month we saw how David’s mighty men submitted to his leadership in secondary roles. They were content to express their loyalty to David’s vision through the employment of their gifts and abilities. This is an excellent example of the second best anointing. Unfortunately, the body of Christ has greatly emphasized the role of the first best position, to the point that the significance of the second best position is sometimes overlooked. As we enter the New Year, let’s embrace the significance, the benefit, and the power of the second best position. It’s the groundwork upon which many are raised as leaders to accomplish the purpose of God.

NOW MIRIAM and Aaron talked against Moses [their brother] because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite woman.

And they said, Has the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? Has He not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it.
Numbers 12:1-2 AMP

Aaron is a biblical example of a second best man. He was called alongside Moses to speak as his mouthpiece (Ex. 4:16). While Aaron was blessed and favored of God alongside his leader Moses, it was only as long as he remained in his second best position. The moment he and Miriam moved out of position by questioning Moses’ decision concerning a wife, they got into trouble with God. God let them know that there was a difference between them and their leader Moses. In Numbers 12:8 God even told them, “…Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses” (AMP)? The second best position requires a proper heart posture and connection with a first string leader. As a matter of fact, God demands it.

EMBRACING YOUR PLACEMENT

And the next day Moses went into the Tent of the Testimony, and behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and brought forth buds and produced blossoms and yielded [ripe] almonds.
Numbers 17:8 AMP

For every successful man or woman of God in Scripture, you’ll find those who stood firmly behind them in the second best anointing. But many abandon the second best anointing in search of playing first string, when sometimes that is not their calling. Helen Lowry wrote in a poem, “How often I have been put to the test to make the best of second best, only to wake up one day and see that second best was actually best for me.” The role of the second best cannot be fully embraced without understanding the following principles: FIRST, your future ministry and placement often comes out of your faithfulness in serving as second best. SECOND, 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. THIRD, only Aaron’s rod budded (Num. 17:8). This signifies that not everyone is called to function as a first string leader. For each person called to play first string, several others are also called to undergird them in the second best anointing. As we move into the New Year, embrace the significance of the second best anointing, and be empowered to experience its rewards. And no matter what your current placement may be, your future placement often comes out of your faithfulness in serving in the second best position.