Running with the Giants: What the Old Testament Heroes Want You to Know About Life and Leadership (Giants of the Bible) - Hardcover

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John C. Maxwell is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, coach, and speaker who has sold more than twenty-four million books in fifty languages. Often called America's #1 leadership authority, Maxwell was identified as the most popular leadership expert in the world by Inc. magazine in 2014. And he has been voted the top leadership professional six years in a row on LeadershipGurus.net.

He is the founder of The John Maxwell Company, The John Maxwell Team, and EQUIP, a non-profit organization that has trained more than five million leaders in 180 countries. Each year Maxwell speaks to Fortune 500 companies, presidents of nations, and many of the world's top business leaders. He can be followed at Twitter.com/JohnCMaxwell. For more information about him visit JohnMaxwell.com. Maxwell lives in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

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Excerpts

Noah

One Person Can Make a Difference

It's often said that life is a marathon. But I think it's much more challenging than that. When track athletes line up to run a marathon race, they know that a finish line awaits them exactly twenty-six miles and 385 yards ahead. For the very best runners, the finish comes in a little over two hours. They know before they start approximately how much time it will take to finish. And though they run most of the race on the open road, they often finish the course in a stadium of cheering fans.

The race of life is very different because you never know where the finish line is until you're actually crossing it. As I write this, I have been running my life-race for five and a half decades. I don't know where or when my race will come to an end, but I suspect that I am somewhere in the second half of it. You may be closer to the start, or you may be nearer to the end, but know that you are also in the race.

When I read that we are surrounded by "so great a cloud of witnesses" and that we should "run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1), I picture myself running into a stadium filled with the giants of the faith. But unlike the Olympics, I'm not entering the stadium to finish the race. I am doing it mid-race to receive encouragement from the people of faith who are watching me run.

Join me. You and I can enter that stadium together. While we run for a while on the oval track, you and I can receive energy from the crowd. They will inspire us to run faster and with more confidence-not only in the stadium, but also back out on the open road. And that will serve to empower us and keep us running the race until our Creator tells us we're done.

As you and I enter the stadium and begin our first circuit of the track, we see an ancient man coming out of the stands to greet us. His face is weathered, his hands are boney, and there is a hobble in his gait. He is far older than any other human being we've ever seen. As you and I approach him, we are surprised to find that he manages to fall in step alongside us. He turns to us and says: "One person can make a difference."

He continues, "I know because when God decided to destroy the earth with water, He made a covenant with me so that humankind might not perish" (Gen. 8:21).

We realize, of course, it's Noah. The Bible says he lived to be 950 years old. Quite an accomplishment. But that's nothing compared to the way he lived his life. His righteousness saved humanity from extinction. The book of Genesis explains the world's condition during Noah's time. It says:

Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them." But Noah found graceb in the eyes of the Lord. (6:5-8, emphasis added)

Making a Difference

As we run with Noah, he shares encouraging words that offer five ways we can make a difference. He says:

You Can Make a Difference for Your Family

Living a life of integrity and obedience to God always has the potential to positively impact others. We don't always see it while we're fighting the good fight, but it happens just the same.

Noah was selected by God to build the ark because of the way he lived. Fortunately, his obedience didn't benefit just him. It also saved his family. Genesis 7:1 says, "The Lord then said to Noah, ?Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation'" (niv). Those closest to you benefit most when you do what's right.

You Can Make a Difference for God's Creation

No one will ever again fulfill the special role Noah did, but you don't have to be a Noah to make an impact on your world. Each of us can make the place where we live better than it was when we found it. Think about how you can improve your little corner of the world.

You Can Make a Difference for Future Generations

Once a young man observed a man in his eighties planting an apple orchard. The old man lovingly and painstakingly prepared the soil, planted the tiny saplings, and watered them. After watching for a while, the young man said, "You don't expect to eat apples from those trees, do you?"

"No," the old man replied, "but somebody will."

Your actions can help those who come behind you. Because of God's covenant with Noah, we can be assured that we are safe from the worldwide destruction of a flood. Earth's inhabitants are still receiving the benefit that came from one man's life of righteousness. Likewise, you and I can also benefit future generations. When you serve people or influence them positively-and encourage them to pass along to others what they have received-you create a chain of impact that can outlive you.

You Can Make a Difference for God

Too often we fail to realize our importance to God. Scripture says, "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him" (2 Chron. 16:9). God is always looking for someone to stand in the gap for Him, and He desires to partner with people who love Him.

That was the case for Noah. God was discouraged with the people He had created. Yet Noah found favor in God's eyes and caused Him to save humanity. Because of his relationship with God, Noah changed the course of history.

You Can Make a Difference at Any Age

Some people want to put restrictions on themselves according to their talent, intelligence, or experience. Others worry about their age. But with God, one person can always make a difference, regardless of circumstances or situation. And age means nothing to Him. When Jesus fed the five thousand, a boy provided the loaves and fishes (John 6:1-13). And in the case of Noah, when it began to rain and he entered the ark, he was six hundred years old! You're never too old-or too young-to make a difference for God.

Noah's Words of Encouragement As we finish the circuit of the track and approach the end of our time together, Noah hurriedly shares a few last nuggets of wisdom with us:

*"Don't be afraid to stand out in a crowd. I know what it means to stand alone. No one encouraged me to follow God, yet I stood for Him-even when everyone else in the world stood against me. Difference-makers are different. Don't let that bother you."

*"Don't be afraid to do something for the first time. It was strange to build a boat far from any sea or river that could float it. And it had never rained before, so nobody could even imagine a flood. But I was more concerned with obeying God than looking foolish. So I just kept building. Don't allow the words 'It's never been done' to prevent you from doing what God asks."

*"When you see a rainbow, remember that one person can make a difference. I had never seen a rainbow until after I followed through on what God asked of me. He placed the rainbow in the sky as a covenant to humanity that He would never again destroy the world with water. The next time you see a rainbow, think of God's promise to you: You can make a difference!"

Noah's Prayer for Us

Dear Lord,

Please help my fellow runners to understand the power of one. Speak to them about the unique task You call them to, and give them the will and the power to follow through so that they, too, can make a difference.

Amen

And with that, Noah slows his gait and bids us good-bye. We watch as he returns to his place in the stands, and then we notice that a woman is coming out to run with us.

Noah's Discussion Guide

And the...