Number Two. XO. VP. Hand of the King. Deputy. Assistant. You before me.
The chain of command is critical to accomplishing a goal. The support role not only serves the leader, he reflects the leader. The primary attribute of a second in command is to have a servant spirit and the ability to put others before themselves. Although the role of Number Two may garner some attention, second fiddle doesn’t get main billing.
I learned the value of a humble but strong second in command at an early age…by watching TV. On Star Trek, it was obvious Captain Kirk could have never survived going where no man had gone before, unless Spock was by his side. Years later, Game of Thrones reiterated the importance of the Hand of the King across the Seven Kingdoms. Everyone knows, The Yellowstone and John Dutton could not function more than a week without Rip.
Television characters are fictional but the example holds true in real life. Back in the day, we had a local Congressman who was well known across the state and nation. The fact was, he gathered the attention but it was his strong and humble wife that made the man. The running joke was, if his wife had married the gas station attendant, the guy who owned the gas station would be in Washington and the ‘Congressman’ would be pumping gas.
The power behind the throne always runs on humility and service. College doesn’t teach you to serve the needs of others and the title of ‘servant’ isn’t held in high esteem. Regardless, no one can deny the necessity and importance of putting others before yourself.
In real life, Jesus is the OG. Christ followers have confidence in an eternal life and destiny because ‘taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness…he humbled himself and became obedient to death.’ Number Two in the Godhead is the Number One reason for living (and dying) in the here and now of 2026.
There is a verse in the book of Philippians rarely spoken during the week and even less often preached on the weekends. ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better
than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.’ Phil. 2:3-4. Do you know ANYONE claiming this as a life verse?
The old Latin expression, ‘Sic vos non vobis’ is translated, ‘not for ourselves but for others.’ As with many old expressions, this one is disappearing from our lexicon and regretfully our actions. It may be difficult to find anyone living out this mantra except on TV. But, the Bible reminds us the Creator of heaven and earth values and rewards this character quality. Because Jesus made himself a servant, ‘..God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name..’
At the core of being a humble servant of others, is forgiveness. I am FAR from divine and I do not live and work in a world surrounded by humble people who ‘consider others better than themselves.’ Therefore, I am constantly reminded of not only THEIR shortcomings but my own as well. The day to day of serving others can prick like a thorn. An apology starts the process of forgiving and is the key to healing a wound.
Forgiveness is exemplified with Christ’s actions on the cross but you don’t have to be divine to give it. As the line in the song goes, ‘Forgiveness, it’s the last thing on your mind today and the hardest thing to give away, it always goes to those who don’t deserve.’ Life is a two way street, but forgiveness is a freeway for moving on.
Not everyone is good at apologizing so it helps to listen well. Apologies may sound crude and not be how you want it said, but they are genuine and from the heart. Some of the best examples of a genuine apology may be on TV and in the movies. In Urban Cowboy, Bud apologized to Sissy ‘clear back to the first time I hit you.’ An apology can go a long way to giving and getting forgiveness. Apologies are known as repentance in the Bible and that’s the ticket to eternity.
In the book written to the Corinthians, Paul describes a thorn in his flesh that was such an irritant he ‘pleaded with the Lord to take it away.’ In context to our discussion, thorns can be people, relationships and the practice of putting others before yourself. The words in red are a reminder that God’s power is made perfect where the thorn of putting others first can make us feel weak. When we humble ourselves, when we are persecuted or misunderstood and when we flat out screw things up, is when the power of Christ CAN rest on us.
The point is, in everything, at all times, consider others before yourself. If you want a REAL challenge with REAL reward…in humility, consider others BETTER than yourself. Our service to others, reflects who we are as well as who we serve.
Strive to put others before yourself. Aim for second place. Embrace the thorns in your life.