Have you ever been an Also-Ran? Played second string? Second fiddle? How might God use you outside of the spotlight?

Is being humble the same as being a doormat? Is confidence the same thing as pride? Why or why not?

If God extended to you the same offer he gave Solomon, what would you ask for? Talk to him about your answer and why you want that.

I heard a wonderful message this weekend about viewing life’s choices (including those we don’t choose for ourselves) as missional opportunities. Some decisions — like the choice to enter the mission field — stand in stark contrast to the world’s view of success. Yet, the past few months have given me pause to consider what the mission field looks like, after all.

Certainly, the mission field could look like leaving your miserable, unfulfilling job and moving to another continent to teach English. (Been there, done that, got the t-shirt Typhoid immunization.) Yet, the mission field could also look like leaving an apparently very well-to-do job for a lower paying one that is more fulfilling on levels beyond finances.

I don’t mean to be flippant at all … I understand all too well what it’s like to have month left at the end of the money. I have tithed most of my adult life, but in recent years, I have also been fortunate to experience the joy of having excess to give away. It’s a really fantastic feeling to give something away that you could sell, just for the sheer joy of the recipient’s appreciation … because you remember that in the past, you have been the recipient!

One of the most meaningful Scripture passages to me comes from Philippians 4, when Paul thanks his church supporters with these words: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles ” (v. 11-14).

I have an obligation to ensure that my kiddos are fed, clothed and sheltered, but I am not required to make certain that they have the newest gadgets, hottest fashions or all-inclusive vacations. I don’t want them to be impoverished, by any means, but what I’m trying to say is that we learn to appreciate what we have when we don’t have life handed to us on a silver platter.

Money is important, but it isn’t solely so. I would rather earn less and love what I do than kill myself (quite literally, via stress) trying to live up to the world’s idea of success.

Being a leader, in any capacity, takes hard work. Pray for the leaders in your life today (even the ones you may not like).

Close your eyes and imagine “the light of the Lord’s presence.” Meditate on walking in that close relationship with God today.

The book of 2 Chronicles begins with the story of how King Solomon gained abundant wisdom, and it boils down to the fact that he demonstrated humility before the Lord. After Solomon inherited the throne from his father David, God offered him anything he wanted, and he modestly asked for wisdom and knowledge to rule his people.

Solomon was so wise that 1 Kings 4 says that he was second to none. “Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt” (v. 30, NIV). He penned more than 1,000 songs and 3,000 proverbs (v. 32). He was an expert in biology and botany (v. 33). Rulers from all over the world flocked to him to glean his insight (v. 34).

The author of 1 Kings described Solomon’s wisdom as being even greater than that of Ethan the Ezrahite. Who was this Ethan the Also-Ran? He must have been pretty amazing to come in second place to the wisest man in history! Flip over to the book of Psalms and check out the author for No. 89: yep, same guy. Ethan was a man who obviously loved the Lord and was not lacking in wisdom, in his own right. He ended up not being as famous as Solomon, by any stretch, but he still made an impact on the world.

I hate to break it to you, but we can’t all be President of the United States, walk the red carpet, play professional sports or fly space missions. A very, very select few have the privilege to work in those roles. The rest of us – let’s face it – are Also-Rans like Ethan. Does that mean we should give up on our dreams? Of course not! Does it mean that our life’s work is invalid? Of course not! Consider what Ethan wrote in Psalm 89:14-16:

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness” (NIV).

What better achievement could we aim for in life than to walk in the light of the Lord’s presence? When we seek him first above all else, his favor becomes our glory and strength (v. 17).

Do you think Adonijah felt bitter toward David & Solomon? I reckon so. What do you feel bitter about today? Will you give it over to God?

Pray for your siblings today. Ask unselfishly for God’s blessings to be poured out on them, by name. (No siblings? Pray for an opponent.)

Put yourself in David’s shoes. He accomplished tremendous things in his lifetime, yet even he had regrets. Talk to God today about yours.