There are many stories of human achievement, endurance and bravery, but Brian Dickinson’s story tells us of God’s mercy and strength that was given in a time of great need. Brian, an ex-Navy man had successfully reached the top of Everest alone, but on his way down, he was struck with snow-blindness. He says that at one point, after he ran out of oxygen, and fell, he surrendered himself to God. He now knows that it was God who helped him, gave him unexplained energy to slowly find his way back to his guide and friends who helped him down the rest of the mountain. Brian thinks that life is like climbing Mount Everest. We can rely on our own strength and resources, but when we are at the end, we have to surrender to God, knowing that there is nothing we can do to save ourselves, we can only turn to God. He can give us strength and guide us to safety.
Brian’s story: video 1, video 2
Q1. What do you think people rely on to get by in life?
Q2. Do you think people depend on these things to get them to Heaven?
Q3. What do you think Brian means when he says we must "surrender to God"?
The Sherpas of Nepal are famous worldwide for their abilities in leading mountain climbing trips in the Himalayan Mountains. Their job is very dangerous.
A young Lhomi Sherpa named Jyabu, recently widowed, was literate and agreed to help some missionaries translate the Bible into his language. Jyabu was Buddhist. As he began to hear and understand the Bible stories he was working on, Jyabu began to understand the missionary’s words, "Jesus died for you, Jyabu, over 2,000 years ago." Jyabu said, "All the sheep and goats I sacrificed did not save my wife. I want to follow Jesus." When Jyabu told others the stories, they too wanted to believe.
Q1. Why is the Sherpa’s job so dangerous?
Q2. How important is it to have a good guide to climb Everest safely?
Q3. Do you have a guide, the Good Shepherd?