Second Fiddle

The conductor of a prominent orchestra was once asked, “What is the most difficult instrument to play in the orchestra?” He replied, “The hardest instrument to play is second fiddle.” Playing the support role for someone else who is getting the majority of the recognition is not an easy task. Rejoicing in someone else’s success when you’ve had a part in producing that is difficult. Most people would want to be in first place. Few are willing to remain unrecognized and still be diligent in performing well. There are those who play a strong supportive role on a sports team but the star players get most of the credit. Background volunteers in many organizations, including the church, serve important roles but the public figure gets the acclaim. Playing ‘second fiddle’ in any aspect of life is a special challenge. This makes it particularly meaningful when we are told in Philippians 2 in the New Testament that Christ “…made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant…” This was the King of the Universe serving in menial ways. This was the completely innocent Messiah taking the extreme punishment for sins He did not commit. We, all mankind, were to blame. It showed how very much He loved each one of us.

Love thrives on the sunny side,
Henry Wiebe