Being in second place isn't that bad. In fact, it's the best place for you to be, if God meant for you to have that lot in life. While we have always been taught to be the best that we can be so that we could be "first place" or "champion," there are times when what we should do is to be the best second placer that we can be, so that Christ will receive all the glory.
Don't get me wrong – what I mean by being a second placer is being content in taking the role of a supporter so that others will shine for the Lord. That way, you can shine for Him too.
Here are some Bible figures that didn't mind taking second place, and thus fulfilled their respective roles in history (in no particular order).
1. Barnabas
We read in the book of Acts how Barnabas encouraged the apostles and the church to accept Paul (who was then named Saul) in Acts 9:27. This same man became Paul's partner in the ministry, but they later separated after some problems. And although his name wasn't found anywhere in Acts after that, the Bible gives us clues showing that his ministry did not stop.
Barnabas didn't mind being the silent one when he and Paul went out to preach (see Acts 14:12). We often read of Paul, and see Barnabas as just Paul's partner. Yet we understand that it was through him that the church accepted Paul, and that Paul had a committed and encouraging companion through him too.
2. Jonathan
Despite being the son of King Saul and consequently the heir to his throne, Jonathan became a very good friend of David, and wasn't even insecure of the latter. Instead of fighting for the throne, Jonathan cheerfully and lovingly helped ensure that David would be Israel's next King, even if it meant sitting down just beside the man of God.
3. Mordecai
Mordecai is Esther's cousin, the man who took care of her since she was young (see Esther 2:5-7). He is responsible for letting the young girl join the first-ever biblically-recorded beauty pageant, which was set up so that Babylon's King Xerxes would have a new wife.
We read later on how Mordecai urged Esther to fight for the safety of the Jews, thus preserving the Jewish race. Because of this, our Saviour was born centuries later.
4. John the Baptist
Jesus declares that John the Baptist is the greatest man born of a woman (see Luke 7:28). John was a very simple man with a simple message of repentance. The Bible describes his ministry as a precursor to the Greatest Minister of all, the Lord Jesus Himself. Although he died a horrible death, he was able to do the work that he was sent to do: to make straight the way of the Lord (see John 1:23).
5. Aaron
Moses' brother and, by a stubborn response to the Lord, spokesperson (see Exodus 4:13-17), Aaron could've been tempted to take the attention to himself instead of his brother Moses. Think about it: God would speak to Moses, then Moses would speak to Aaron, then Aaron would speak what was said to whomever he should tell it to.
That's a pretty huge task: to be God's mouthpiece. He could've taken the glory to himself, but instead he was quite content in being just the spokesman. After all, he knows that his brother was the one who was given the task of leading Israel and speaking to God face to face. He just enjoyed the ride.
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