Finishing in second place isn’t usually something to be celebrated. Who wants to be the one receiving the red ribbon at the fair before the Grand Champion is announced? Who wants to be on the team that accepts the runner-up trophy in the playoffs before the Gatorade-drenched head coach of the championship team hoists the bigger, much shinier, trophy in front of thousands of fans? No one, right? Losing isn’t fun.
That said, if I told you I am second in my own life and wouldn’t change a thing, you’d probably think I’m being ridiculous. And you’d be right if I was second to the wrong things.
- If I were second to my career, I would be putting way too much time into building my treasures here on Earth rather than striving to make an impact for the Kingdom and in the lives of those around me.
- If I were second to a comfortable lifestyle, I would be missing out on all the ways the Lord can use me in the uncomfortable parts of life and I would pass up areas I could grow amidst vulnerability and ambiguity.
- If I were second to expectations of others, I would be living inside a box created by finite humans rather than living out an amazing life designed by an infinite God.
I am content being second because of who is first:
“I’m second to One
Redeemer, The Way, The Light
I’m second to One
The Savior
No Compromise
I’m Laying Everything
At the foot of the Cross
My pride, my life, my all,
I am second to One
and He is second to none.”
Why is Jesus first in my life? Because he proves over and over again that he deserves to be.
- I am weak. He is strong. Psalm 73:26
- I am flawed. He is perfect. Romans 3:23-24
- I need healing and He is the healer. 1 Peter 2:24
- I need salvation and He is my Savior. Psalm 62 1-2
Knowing that the above is true, I cannot help but share this with others. It blows my mind that he is using me to travel the world and share this message with others in ways that I can’t even imagine yet.
This blog was inspired by iamsecond.com, an “online movement meant to inspire people of all kinds to live for God and for others. Actors. Athletes. Musicians. Business leaders. Drug addicts. Your next-door neighbor. People like you. The authentic stories on iamsecond.com provide insight into dealing with typical struggles of everyday living. These are stories that give hope to the lonely and the hurting, help from destructive lifestyles, and inspiration to the unfulfilled. You’ll discover people who’ve tried to go it alone and have failed. Find the hope, peace, and fulfillment they found. Be Second.”
I encourage you to check this site out. I hope you see some familiar faces in the videos. I hope you find stories you can relate to. Most of all, I hope you are encouraged to look at where you can be putting Jesus first in your life.
