Leaning In

Monday - May 17th

Scripture to Read Today: 1 Peter 4:7-11

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Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10

At the age of 17, Steven Spielberg directed a science fiction film called "Firelight." He spent the entire budget of $500, and he ran the movie at a local cinema. The tickets cost one dollar. With 500 people attending, the teenage Spielberg believed he would break even on his first film project. However, one person voluntarily paid $2, so the movie made $1, making it Spielberg's first commercial success in the movie industry.

Steven Speilberg made his lifelong priority of making movies something about which he would lean in. He would not lean back and wait for doors of opportunity to open. He chose to pursue his dream actively. He found ways to get his feet wet.

It seems the stories of successful people in their field or industry usually include a willingness to lean in before you have realized or others have seen your potential. They take a brave step forward. They are willing to risk.

Even as we serve Christ as His followers, life requires risk. If you wait till you have all the classroom training you think you need, the practical experience you believe you must have, or the support of others before you take a step to serve the Lord by ministering to someone else, you will never act. Sure, training, experience, and encouragement from others have their place and their value. In my experience, more people are paralyzed by their lack of willingness to take the first step - to take a risk - than by any other factor.

In 1 Peter 4:7-11, the Apostle Peter encourages us to use the gifts we have been given and use them now. We shouldn't squander the gifts and blessings God has given us by not using them. We should honor Him by utilizing them for the benefit of others and His glory. "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms" (1 Peter 4:10).

Find ways today to use your natural gifts, experiences, training, spiritual gifts, and passions to make a difference in someone else's life. Learn from Steven Spielberg's story of leaning in at an early age. Take steps to serve God now, not later! Lean in today!

God gives us gifts and abilities to be used for the good of others and His glory! Let's lean in, take the risk, and use them!