Playing Second Fiddle

"The most difficult instrument to play in the orchestra is second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play second fiddle with enthusiasm - that's the problem. Yet, if there is no one to play second fiddle, there is no harmony." - Leonard Bernstein

Sometimes it’s hard to play second fiddle to your boss, your family or even the Lord and yet we are each called to be a servant who leads. This often means we are destined to play second fiddle.

As a pastor this means we are not the shepherd of our local flock but rather we are under shepherds called to follow the leading of the Great and Good Shepherd and follow his example who was willing to lay down his life for His sheep.

As a spouse this means that I must follow the Bridegroom’s example and be willing to lay down my life for my wife, my desires for hers or my family.

In a society that has taught a “me first” attitude this is contrary to what is perceived as the norm. Yet this is exactly what we are called to do – esteem others more then self.

While I don’t know who is credited with say this, one of my favorite quotes is that “you can accomplish anything, as long as you don’t care who gets the credit.” Having been on staff as an associate pastor for many years I can testify to the truth of that statement. As long as we don’t worry about wanting the lime light in this life we can accomplish much. Let God take care of keep score. After all we will never beet the score that He set when He gave his life for us.

As I think about many of the men who have gone before me in the ministry I’m pretty sure that I’m not even third violin last chair. But to be asked to participate in God’s orchestra is an honor beyond measure.

Excuse me while I rosin up my bow,

Pastor Val

Interruptions

I was recently reading (unfortunately, I can’t remember what or where I was reading, something that is happening from time to time) about Jesus and the many miracles He performed. This author pointed out that many perhaps most of Jesus miracles were performed were as a result of interruptions to the task or purpose He was involved with at that moment in time.

Jesus is at a wedding enjoying the party and His mother interrupts him with a request for help with the wine. After delivering the greatest sermon of all time Jesus is interrupted by a leprous man asking for healing. He is confronted by demonic men on His way to minister to a town. Jesus is teaching about cloths and wine skins and a synagogue ruler interrupts asking for help with his sick daughter. Jesus is on His way to heal a sick girl and He is interrupted by a woman in the crowd who has a blood disease. Jesus is traveling on His way to a destination and a blind man interrupts Him with a request to be healed. After a long day of teaching Jesus is sleeping during a boat ride to the other side of the lake and His sleep is interrupted due tot eh fear of the disciples of a sudden storm. Jesus is teaching and a message comes telling Him his friend Lazarus is dead.

Was Jesus bothered by the interruptions? My only clue to the answer to this question is that Jesus occasionally slipped off either by himself or sometimes with His disciples in order to rest and recharge, so even Christ needed time to recharge His batteries. But on at least one occasion the crowd followed Him and Jesus gave up his rest to minister to their needs.

I could go on with more but I think you get the idea. Ministry is often about the interruptions. This is something I’m learning as a new senior pastor. While I encountered it some as an associate I really have had to come to grips with this reality with my change in position.

Each day I have a list of things I want to get accomplished and each day my success rate varies with the number of things I have checked off my “to do list.” But what I am noticing is that when I am open to the Spirit He chooses to often interrupt my day with more important issues and people with needs and hurts. I am given the opportunity to serve because of the interruptions not in spite of them!

God bless the interruptions and bless you, God, for allowing me to serve

Pastor Val