Editor's Note: This is the final chapter of my book, "Leadership Through Love." If you have missed any of the previous chapters, you can search this blog using the Search box in the top right hand corner, inserting "Leadership Through Love."
I hope you gain useful insights for yourself from reading this chapter, and all previous ones.
Shalom, with continued blessings on ye head.
Steve Martin
Chapter 12
Another Man’s Vineyard
(…and now my own.)
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Follow & help fulfill their vision
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Faithful with another’s
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Learn and growth until your time
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The proper way of moving on
For 23 years I served as the Administrator or Director of
Operations & Finance for three different ministries, doing that which I
knew to do. Together with the leaders of those respective ministries, we laid
foundations and established further the “vineyard” that the Lord had entrusted
to the founders.
As a vital part of the work, being faithful in adding to the
building and the ongoing structure, it did enable me to do my part in seeing the
work of the Lord done. The Lord was glorified, people were “built up” in the
faith, buildings were restored and placed into the work of the kingdom, and the living spiritual vineyard produced lasting fruit.
My heart was given to the Lord through these ministries, but
as time passed, there were things the Lord had been calling me to do, which my
heart’s cry was to see them fulfilled. Beginning with what He had put in my heart, even as a young
child, to be a missionary and take the gospel to the nations, and with ongoing
prophetic words, the desire to have my own vineyard grew evermore present.
My natural gifts, which to me are an expression of the
spiritual gifts He had given me, were in administration, accounting and general
management of inventories, staff and daily tasks, but my heart so longed to
“not sit behind a desk 40 hours a week”, but to travel and take His love beyond
the local setting. Often I expressed that desire to those I was under, and to
fellow workers. At times the desire was so intense, and I repeatedly asked the
Lord when I would be delivered from the desk job to something that I knew for
me was more.
During this time, the ongoing struggle to be faithful with
the daily tasks, while at the same time praying and yearning for the adventurous tasks, was very difficult. Trying to keep focused on the maintenance of the ministry, when I wanted so much to be in the movement of
the ministry, reminded me of Joseph in prison. He was in the Lord’s will I am
sure, and yet the constant waiting of when that time would be over and he would
be out of prison was something I could very much relate to.
At times I was even resentful of those who had the opportunities
to go, while I stayed home and manned the fort. When I would hear them speak of
the strain of travel and that type of ministry, my silent response was, “Then
you stay and let me go instead”, but it never happened. I didn’t want to have
the inner struggle of believing the grass is greener on the other side, but I
honestly longed for the opportunities to travel in ministry.
Even more discouraging during the years when I was the
administrator of one ministry where the leaders were often traveling, people
would ask me if I went along to the distant lands and people. I had to
respond “No.” It was hard to continue convincing myself that this was the place
the Lord has for me, and I needed to be fulfilled in doing what I had been
given to do. My job was to take care of the office and staff, while it was
their job to go.
After many years of this struggle, I finally had to do
something, and so asked if I could at least go once a year on an international trip
with them. When the response came back as no, then to keep my having the ache
of the heart continue, I gave my resignation notice, and began looking for the
next position I believed the Lord would give me.
So what do you do as the administrator, or key person in an
organization, and though you are good at what you are doing, your heart is just no longer in it? For me, I knew I had to move on. Otherwise my attitude
would have become very bitter, and I would have brought harm to the ministry,
rather than being a constructive part of the work.
When you are faced with this decision, the Lord will give
you the proper way to leave a situation. In the times when I left two
business and three ministry positions, He had generally given me a year’s
notice prior to the course change up ahead. In my desire to then bless those
whom I was leaving, I gave a three to six month notice, in order for them to
find the right replacement and have training done for my position.
Even when I didn’t have another position lined up, the Lord
honored my commitment I had with current leadership, to not leave them in a
precarious place in their own work. And for each of these five job changes, He
had brought a good replacement person for the work, and then led me to the next place
that I was needed at.
There is always a proper way to leave one situation for
another. As hard as change can be, and yet necessary, the Lord will reveal His
plan if asked, and if each party is open to listening. I am thankful that that
has happened in each case for me. I believe my honesty and faithfulness
throughout the years at the job was a key factor in how the leadership
blessed me in my leaving, and how I had blessed them.
During the transition time, the company or ministry had time
to find another person to take my place. On two occasions I was able to
recommend an assistant whom I had trained properly, and so the transition went
very smooth. On two other occasions I recommended those I knew who had the
skills to take over as I was leaving. They were hired, based on my
recommendation.
I in turn had time to prepare my family, and to search for
the next location of employment. Knowing that indeed it is true, “For I know
the plans I have for you", says the Lord, "plans for welfare and not for
calamity”, gave me confidence that I was hearing the Lord during this
transition, and that He was going to direct my steps. Even when I didn’t have the next position in place at the time of my resignation notices, my faith in the Lord’s provision was
constant. He had proven Himself trustworthy to me, and thus I was able to put
my trust in Him.
And Now My Own
On November 23, 2009, on my 55th birthday, I gave my
resignation notice to the president and founder of the third ministry I had then
served with, after a period of five years with them. This decision was based on several factors, including the first being that of the Lord, having put a desire in my heart, since I was
ten years of age, to go to the nations.
Several prophetic words had also been received over those many years, which brought
encouragement and built up my faith. I knew the time had come to step
out and start my “own vineyard”.
So began the new ministry of “Love For His
People, Inc.” Along with other believers, we primarily seek to bless the people of Israel with support, encouragement, and humanitarian aid. You can view our full website:
www.loveforhispeople.org
It was, and continues to be, a time of needed faith, mindful that my trust
rests on solid ground - the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
As a final thought, keep your eyes fixed on the Lord in all
situations, and you will see Him direct your steps into His full purposes for
you. I for one can testify of His faithfulness and His provision in all.
Carry on!
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858. Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.
Love For His People, Inc. truly appreciates your generous support. Please consider sending a monthly charitable gift of $5-$25 each month to help us bless Israel.
You can bless this ministry work now, through: Online PayPal gifts
You can also send checks to the address below. Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)
©2013 Steve Martin Love For His People, Inc. 12120 Woodside Falls Rd. Pineville, NC 28134
E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com
Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People
Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter
YouTube: Steve Martin (loveforhispeopleinc)
Note: To read the Intro, Chapter Listings and first 11 chapters, please use the Search Box in the top right hand corner of this Blog. Enter "Leadership Through Love." Be blessed in your reading!
1. A Gift for His Purposes
2. Use the Tools You Have, But Not the Staff
- Treasure the people, while digging the foundations
- Do unto them as you would…
- Bless and curse not: honor those who serve with you
3. Right Man (or Woman!) for the Job
- All are created equal – make the most of this!
- If the Shoe Fits, Have Them Wear It
- It IS Who You Know and Are Known By
- Hire To Complement Your Strengths
- if you are weak, then they are strong
5. Burn Candles At Both Ends? – NOT!
- Trust in Him at all times
- We all are given 24 hours each day
6. The Visionaries Need You!
- They dream it - you make it happen
- Head Won’t Get Far without the Neck
8. It Doesn’t All Depend On You
- The Lord is the Rock – Not You
- Whose strength - yours or His?
- Trustworthy managers and assistants
9. Practically Speaking…and Walking
- Handle each piece of paper once
- File so you can find it!
- Early morning – before the others come
10. Meetings – Time-manger or Time-waster?
- Do you really need all those meetings?
- Why Morning and Mid-Week?
- Prov. 24:6 “By wise counsel…multitude of counselors
11. Acknowledge Him in All Your Ways
12. Another Man’s Vineyard
- Follow & help fulfill their vision
- Faithful with another’s
- Learn and growth until your time
- The proper way of moving on
A Door Opened in the Spiritual Realm
