It's Not About Me!: Preaching to the Man in the Mirror

By Edwin Silié

Be.
Be a lending hand. Be a shoulder for tears. Be a teacher. Be an ear that listens. Be a counselor for the weary soul. Be a friend to the needy. Be a money giver. Be a prayer warrior. Be a caregiver. Be a ministry leader. Be a courteous neighbor. Be a husband who cares. Be a coach who plays fair. Be a child who respects. Be compassionate to the weak. Be patient. Be content. Be a hugger. Be respectful of self. Be loyal. Be confident. Be responsible. Be humble. Be a speaker of truth. Be hopeful. Be a worshiper without shame. Be an actor of dreams. Be willing. Be a builder of wishes. Be a witness without words. Be a picture of Christ. Be a disciple of Him. Be a Christian. Be.

Will you be?

This book will help you realize what the Lord made you for. The truth will shock you, but the outcome will make you a happier person, a better follower of Christ, and a humble servant, ready for the world to come. It's Not About Me! takes a peek at the picture of God's love for His children and challenges us to do nothing less. Are you ready to be challenged? Are you ready to be stripped of self and commit your life to doing God's will? Just remember that it's not about you and it's not about me.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 31, 2011
• ISBN: 9781449713867

Edwin Silié

Edwin Silié was born in Puerto Rico and raised in the Dominican Republic. He graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics and is now finishing his Masters in School Administration. His passion is missionary work and boldly preaches about the job Christ has asked us to do. Edwin is the Author of the book, “Lord, What’s Next?”

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Copyright © 2011 Edwin Silié

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-1387-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-1388-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-1386-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011924437

Printed in the United States of America

WestBow Press rev. date: 5/25/2011

I dedicate this book to:

Christians

and

everyone else!

Contents

Acknowledgements

Foreword

One

The Way of Love

The Farmers

Dreams

Be

A Full Life in the Emptiest of Places

Wireless Connection

Give

Turn Off the TV

Blind Spot

It’s NOT About Me!

Hell

Substance

Undisciplined Discipline

It’s NOT About Me!

Never Stop

When Words Collide

It’s NOT About Me!

Love

Life

Reflections

References

(Endnotes)

About the author

Acknowledgements

I constantly ask myself where would I have been without the immeasurable help of these three ladies? One thing is for sure, this book would not have been what it is today. A reality.

Maranda Wagner is a friend like no other. Willing to help even when her bucket is overflowing with her own responsibility. She has become more than a friend: She is an ear who listens, a soul who wonders, a seeker of truth, and has a heart of gold. She is an editor, a critic, a motivator, and a perfectionist. The blessing God has in store for her will be beyond her wildest thoughts. Thank you!

Just like lightning from heaven Judy Harper came into my life. An just like lightning, she is beautiful, and strong, and without mercy she tore my beautiful work of art. But with her bright light, she has molded my words into something a thousand times better and more beautiful than before. You and your family have become like friends in a strange land, and it’s always a joy to see your beautiful smile.

Not only did Jennifer Norford walk into this book, she also walked into my life. Like a peaceful wind, she has walked next me, strengthening my steps, helping me in my Christian walk and in the process stole my heart and became my wife. I love you negra.. The final touches of this book were done by her and for that I will be eternally grateful.

So I say thank you ladies for understanding that it is not about me, and it’s not about you, but that it’s about the will of God in our lives and the work He has called us to do.

I cannot write another word without thanking Jesus Christ. He has been my constant Friend, my Inspiration, the reason why I do the things I do, my Brother, whom I admire most, my Perfect Example, my Savior. Jesus Christ has been with me even before I thought of writing a second book came into my consciousness. My inspiration to write comes from Him, and it is Him I wish to honor. My life has been an adventure and oh what a beautiful adventure it has been. I thank you my Lord and Savior. I can’t wait to spend the rest of eternity by your side. I love you. Thank you for loving me the way you do and showing me how to love others in return.

Thank you. I love you.

Edwin Silié

Foreword

Warning!

This book is not for the weak Christian. Neither is it for those who believe they have reached heaven’s shores.

It’s personal!

This book looks at what our Father had to give, how He had to give it and the example we are to follow from His actions. To continue reading these pages, is to dare me to challenge you. And I would only dare to do it because I dare daily to challenge the man in the mirror. The man who is looking at me and asking me to be different and to look at someone other than myself. Who am I to emulate? Who am I to follow? If the answer is Jesus, then I must see what He did and do just the same.

It was not about Him therefore it should not be about me!

Let’s explore the Better-than-Best concept and what it means in terms of giving. What did Christ teach us about giving? What does He say to us about the way we should give? Equally important is the question,

What should we give?

God has endowed us with the necessary gifts to make a difference in our lives, in our family, in our community and in our world. One pebble, that’s all it takes, to make a ripple effect. One Christian, that’s all it takes, to bring the kingdom of Christ much closer to us.

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?

- Matthew 16.25-26 NIV

Some hard questions will be asked followed by a study guide for each chapter to enhance discussion, to become conversation starters and to spark deep thoughts into the minds and hearts of all those who dare. However, if you dare, you will find a loving Christ at the end of the road, with hands and arms stretch wide, running with all His might towards you, desiring to hold you for eternity. Last time I checked, that sounded pretty good to me. It’s not about me! It’s about love. It’s about a love that must be shared with a world who is ready to experience it. Stare at the man or woman in the mirror. Tell that person you see in the mirror what Christ did for you, and go out and do likewise.

It’s Not about Me!

Preaching to the Man in the Mirror

People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

- unknown

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’"

Jesus1

One

Love doesn’t make the world go ’round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.

– Franklin P. Jones

One.

There was confusion in her eyes. So many of them. Out on the sand. Why were they all out? Who put them there? Did the ocean spit them out? Did they lose their way? Were they aware they didn’t belong there? There were so many, all around.

Like a flash of lightning it all became crystal clear to her. They must go back. ALL of them. She spoke in silence. What was she to do? She was so small and only one. She was all alone. She was young and inexperienced in the matter, but there were some things she could do. The girl knew she could set up a meeting with some of her peers and start to plan out exactly how to do it. She knew she could set up a committee to devise the best course of action. She could also apply for a grant, or a loan, or ask for charity in order to raise enough money to get the right equipment to get the job done, or she could go back to school and get her doctorate on starfish, starfish collection, and starfish tossing.

On the other hand, she could pick one up, the one in front of her, the closest one to her, and throw that one back in the ocean. It seemed the most logical thing to do. And that is what she did. Then she looked to her left and saw the perfect star-like starfish. She ran and threw that one back in. Then she saw a black one and ran to throw that one in. Then a starfish full of pimples was next, then a small one, and a tall one, and an ugly one, and with a lot of love the broken one. There were just so many. She had to get them all.

Thought and reason made its way back to her head. Why were there so many starfish to be saved and yet so many people standing around, ‘enjoying the beauty of the ocean?’ Couldn’t they see what she saw? Must these Christians, I mean people, stand there and do nothing? Besides judge her? Laugh at her? Criticize her? But it didn’t matter. She was not going to stop. Not now, for there was too much work to be done and not enough time to do it.

And then…

He was tall and handsome. Definitely an athlete and educated. He looked humble. Probably a teacher, perhaps a pastor, but could be a diplomat or maybe just a family man. He could come across as a hard-working man or maybe a rich man passing through, just enjoying the view. It never really mattered to her until she saw him walk towards her.

He had a purpose, a reason, a question in his mind. What could it be? What does he want? she wondered. Was he going to stop her? Change her mind? Help her!? The last question brought a smile to her face. Could my work be contagious? The idea warmed her heart, but the coldness of what she heard next sent a chill down her spine. What are you doing? the man asked. He did not bend down and grab a starfish. He did not bring a glass of water to ease her work or a towel to dry her sweat. He did not pull up his sleeve to use his throwing arm to make sure a starfish was saved. He just stood there, stopping her work to ask the obvious question. Perhaps the obvious question did not have an obvious answer. Perhaps the obvious question was not so obvious after all. What am I doing? she thought.

The little girl looked up and told him how some of the starfish had lost their way home. How some of them didn’t know they were lost. She told him how some of the starfish have been mistreated by the world and have been tossed out, battered, and beaten. But she told him the only thing she knew for sure was that they all needed to be saved. I am throwing them back so they can live. The man replied, But there are thousands, maybe millions. There is not much you can do! You can’t save them all. Without hesitation, she bent down, picked up a starfish, ran to the ocean, threw it with all her might, and as far as she could. She walked to the man, smiled and said, You are right! I can’t save them all, but I can save at least one. The man stood there, thinking. The girl picked up another one, threw it, looked at the man and said, Would you help me?

One.

There was confusion in her eyes. So many of us. Out in the world. Why are we all here? Who put us here? Did the ocean spit us out? Did we lose our way home? We have been beaten, tossed, stepped on, abused, mistreated, and ignored. Are we aware we don’t belong here? We are so many. We are all around.

Like a flash of lightning it all became crystal clear to her. They must go back. ALL of them. She spoke in silence. What was she to do? She was so small and only one. She was all alone. She was young and inexperienced in the matter but there were some things she could do; the girl knew she could set up a meeting with some of her peers and start planning out exactly how to do it. She knew she could set up a committee to devise the best course of action. She could apply for a grant, or a loan, or ask for charity in order to raise enough money to get the right equipment to get the job done. She could go back to school and get her doctorate on ministry, missionary work, and love