The man we know of as King David started out as the youngest son in a large family – certainly not destined for greatness by anyone’s standards, in those days. He was relegated to tending sheep back home while his big brothers held seemingly more important roles, like serving in the military. David wasn’t on the Varsity team. He didn’t play first chair. He didn’t compete in the top heat. He probably would have even been the last one called in a game of Red Rover (and they would have locked their arms together, just for the fun of knocking the wind out of him as he tried to run through … not that I’m speaking from any bitter childhood memories of my own, ahem). By all accounts, David could have been easily overlooked. And yet, look what God did in his life!

Wes King released a song in the early ’90s titled “Second String” (The Robe, Reunion Records). The lyrics relate our everyday shortcomings to King David. I remember talking to a friend after the song came out, and I mentioned how much I liked it. He replied, “I guess it’s ok, but I don’t really relate to it.” That comment stunned me, and I wondered if he had really lived such a privileged life that he had never failed or come in second place at anything, or if he was in denial about it all. (I reckon it was the latter.)

The Bible refers to David as someone who pursued God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14); granted, he still had plenty of failed moments, even after he rose to leadership and power. However, I have to wonder if part of his extraordinary success could be attributed to the fact that he knew what it was like to be low on the totem pole. I imagine David would have been the type of supervisor who occasionally walked out into the fields and made small talk with the shepherds who worked for him, swapping coffee break stories about bear and lion encounters (1 Samuel 17:36).

If we are going to make an impact for the kingdom of God, then we need to not only know how to lead, but perhaps more importantly, we need to be willing to serve. Philippians 2:3-4 tells us: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (NIV). So, regardless of whether you play first violin or warm the bench, will you allow God to use your position in life for his glory and influence?