2nd Fiddle

American conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein was asked which instrument was most difficult to play. After thinking for a moment he replied, “The second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiasm- that is a problem. And if we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony.”

Are you willing to play second fiddle at work? American swimming phenom Michael Phelps won eight gold medals in the Beijing Olympic Games of 2008. The final gold medal came as he and his teammates set a new world record in the 4x100m medley relay to close out the swimming competition at the Water Cube. Phelps swam the butterfly leg. Though he captured six gold medals in the Athens games in 2004, had you asked the average American two weeks prior to the 2008 Summer Games who Michael Phelps was, most would have been clueless.

Today his name is a near-household term. No athlete in modern times has won eight gold medals in one Olympics. But what are the names of Phelps' teammates who swam the other three legs of the 4x100m relay? Without the other three men, whom the world will not likely remember, Phelps would not have made history and gotten the glory. They played second fiddle to Phelps, yet they had vital roles.

As you reflect on the calling of God on your life to advance His Kingdom in your workplace setting, it may be that you are not the "teammate in the spotlight." Your co-worker, supervisor, company President, or someone else may be the one who receives the bulk of the accolades and public recognition. Though they seem to collect more visibility or public reward, it doesn't mean that you work with any less passion or have any less desire.

In reality, your job or position in the organization is critical. Perhaps different than anyone else’s job, if you don’t fulfill your tasks and assignments, the overarching goals of the organization simply will not be achieved. Furthermore, your role or calling is specifically designed to give God the glory that He deserves as you serve in your specific capacity.
day's Workplace Challenge:

Resist the urge to envy someone else's success in your company. For the most part, you are teammates with them.
Re-focus on your specific role and serve to give God the most possible. Remember that your employer has placed a huge degree of trust and confidence in you. Your role is crucial to overall execution of company strategy and success. As you stumble or as you succeed, so does the organization.
Refuse to let public recognition (or the lack thereof) dim the importance of shining for God's glory.

Rediscover the personal victory that is realized in doing well whatever it is that you do and leave the rest to God. Others may not know your name. Does it matter?

God is blessed when it is in His Name that you faithfully serve. "Whatever you do...do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” ( Col. 3:17a)

By the way, Aaron Peirsol led off in the backstroke leg, Brendan Hansen swam the breast and Jason Lezak swam the anchor leg, the freestyle! – the less known second fiddles; nevertheless every fraction of a second of their strives altogether catapulted the stardom of Michael Phelps.

WB "The Other 6 Days" Journal