Youth ministry | Members

Illustration texts

Tom Brady Treating Others as Equals

The Mountaineer Who Gave Back

Sir Edmund Hillary, along with his Sherpa friend Tenzing Norgay, were the first climbers to reach the highest point on earth - the summit of Mount Everest. He became an immediate celebrity, not only in his home country of New Zealand, but around the world. His face was printed on New Zealand's $5.00 bill, a first for a living person. England knighted him. Streets, schools and organizations bear his name. 
 
But through it all, he viewed himself modestly. In his own words, 
 
"I was just an enthusiastic mountaineer of modest abilities who was willing to work quite hard and had the necessary imagination and determination. I was just an average bloke. It was the media that tried to transform me into a heroic figure. But I've learned through the years, as long as you don't believe all that rubbish about yourself, you can't come to too much harm." 
 
I think another contributor to his humility was his elevation of service over fame. He didn't consider his ascent of Everest and further daring explorations to be his main contribution to the world. In a speech to the American Himalayan Foundation, Hillary spoke of returning often to the Everest area with his younger brother Rex, building "twenty-seven schools, twelve clinics, and two airfields" so supplies could more easily reach the region. 
 
 
 
In Hillary's own words, "I don't know if I particularly want to be remembered for anything. I have enjoyed great satisfaction from my climb of Everest. But my most worthwhile things have been the building of schools and medical clinics. That has given me more satisfaction than a footprint on a mountain." 
 
Arrogant, proud people tend to disgust people. Edmund Hillary found a way to remain humble throughout his wildly successful life. What can we do this week to make sure we don't get puffed up about our accomplishments? 
 
Debriefing 
 
1. What do you think it felt like to be the first to conquer Mount Everest? 
2. What does Hillary say has given him more satisfaction in life? 
 
3. How do you think he remained humble through all the attention the world showered upon him? 
 
4. As you accomplish things in life, how can you keep from getting arrogant and puffed up? 
 
End Notes 
 
Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time (New York: Penguin Books, 2006), pp. 129,130.

<< <

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

Legacy Youth Ministry Resources

Illustration texts