Ted Helsett enjoyed a career as explorer and leader of expeditions into British Columbia’s wilderness. Tested by the unforgiving terrain, sometimes close to death when challenging it, he survived to tell tall, true tales of his life there, the source of his calling and purpose.
He found in the wilds a kinship that the Christian finds in knowing Christ and the:
However, consider the disciples’ superior life. First, where Helsett found himself alone one night in the forest, having broken his leg, he found nature unconcerned, uncaring. And only by his own exhausting effort did he stay alive till rescued. The Christian remains alone only by his own mistaken choice. For Jesus promised to oversee and remain with us, WHATEVER happens, by sending the Holy Spirit as our companion John 14:15-18. Second, while Helsett found no help but his own determination to stay alive, the Christian never suffers that desperation. The Holy Spirit remains our constant helper, comforter and guide. We may weaken; He never does. We may stray from Jesus; the Holy Spirit constantly remains true to the Savior’s teaching and purpose. Third, where his wilderness disaster left Helsett in a hospital for six months, and in rehabilitation for two years, no life circumstance ever eliminates the Christian’s spiritual role. Whatever. Our purpose is always fulfilled by our personal commitment to Christ, not by any particular service we render. Fourth, while Helsett had a slight limp to remind him of his close call with death, the believer has better memories. We may not have the apostle’s physical reminders of Christian service, I Corinthians 4:9-13, II Corinthians 11:23-33. But all we have experienced has left us convinced of God’s faithfulness. Any work tried for him has left us humbled by his Grace accepting our poor effort. Any offense against us by others has left us more than willing to forgive based on God’s instant forgiveness of any sin we commit. Any effort left short of perfection is useful since Christ’s all-pervasive Grace completes it for us. And on and on. No experience anyone has in a career, whatever it is, however successful and rewarding, will ever compare with the JOY Jesus gives every believer in his Name. Reader’s Digest, 70 Most Unforgettable Characters, pp. 245-246
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