Giants

From a very early age, I have always been intrigued by "giants." I think of the fairy tales of Jack and the Beanstalk, or the movie King Kong. I think of the "three-headed dog" chained to protect the "trap door" in the innermost part of a corridor in the stories of Harry Potter. Giants always seem to be in "a different world," but still a vital part of my life.

The Bible describes a race including numerous giants among the original inhabitants of Canaan, Edom, Moab, and Ammon. The invading Mesopotamian king Chedorlaomer defeated them, according to Genesis 14:5. Deuteronomy 3:11; Joshua 12:4; 13:12 relate that the Israelites defeated Og, the giant King of Bashan east of the Jordan. Og's bed was nine cubits long and four cubits wide. He was huge. Goliath, a Philistine, was a descendant of these giants. 1 Samuel 17:4. The Bible says he was six cubits and a span, nine feet, nine inches tall. 2 Samuel 21:18-22 and 1 Chronicles 20:4-8 name other Philistine giants. Some think the Nephilim, mentioned in Genesis 6:4 and Numbers 13:33, were a race of giants on earth. 1 Samuel 9:2 says Saul [the first king of Israel} "stood head and shoulders above everyone else."

We categorize human beings in various ways. One of these is the height. A few years ago, Evelyn and I were flying from Tokyo through Los Angeles to Dallas, then on to Abilene. As we boarded the plane at Los Angeles, Yao walked into the terminal and boarded on the same plane. I did not realize how tall Yao is--he is over seven feet tall. He is huge.

But remember, I was 5 foot seven inches tall most of my life. At 75, I have shrunk to five foot five. All of us lose a few inches through life.

Through my life, I think of people who were or are "spiritual giants." Their physical size does not matter. What REALLY matters is their "hearts" and "influences" on others.
I think of J. Eskew, a simple, loving, caring banker whom I served as a preacher at the Maple Hill in Lebanon, Tennessee in the late 1950s. J. had four children. Our young family with four children had rough times in those days. Frequently, J. would come and encourage us through difficult situations. J. died at age 39 because of a heart condition. I was honored to hold his funeral. I was indeed a "giant" in God through Christ.
I think of J. D. Thomas, one of my teachers at ACC, in the early 1950s. Churches of Christ were at a "different" stage in their life and dealing with different issues. Dr. Thomas "paved the way" to open the eyes of the oncoming generation for the future. He boldly brought together preachers and scholars all over America to deal with "tough issues" with whom we struggled in those days. The "issues" we now are different. But the principle is the same. Evelyn and I asked Dr. Thomas to officiate our marriage ceremony in Stamford on 27 January 1956. J. D. Thomas was indeed a "giant" in God through Christ.
I think of Tim Tucker, one of my former students at David Lipscomb College [now University] and later a professor of history. Tim stood alongside myself trying to support "integration" of American Americans and people of all races when the administration and many associates opposed. Tim has now suffered a degenerated disease over several years. But I am so grateful for him. Tim Tucker was and is indeed a "giant" in God through Christ.
I think of Glenn Owen. Glenn and his wife Marlene were "train blazers" for mission work in Brazil for approximately twenty years. Glenn was a very gifted person. He learned Spanish growing up as a child. He mastered Portuguese in Brazil. Later he learned Russian and did great work in the Ukraine. I was so blessed to be a fellow-shepherd at the Highland Church of Christ for many years. We did so many things together--counseling, fending off critics, often praying together on our knees. Glenn died suddenly with a heart attack a few years ago. But, like Abel, "he died, but through his faith, he still speaks" (Hebrews 11:4). Glenn and I would often disagree, but we always knew we loved one another. Glenn would say: "It is alright for you to be wrong." And he was usually right. Glenn Owen was indeed a "giant" in God through Christ.

MY list of "giants" is long. But I will stop here for now.

But I am guessing that there are some "giants" in YOUR life. Share these "giants" with your friends and your church and your community and your friends. Tell me your stories.

John Willis