HOLD THEM CLOSE

When my oldest son was three he was diagnosed with a severe learning and behavioural disorder. We were told to expect “no miracles” and that his learning, communication and behavioural levels would be those of a three to four year old for the rest of his life. Despite our refusal to accept this condemnation, the next three years showed little improvement in his capacities. His behaviour swung between hysterically happy to hysterically distressed without any middle ground while his capacity for language was limited.

One day, while we were holidaying at a caravan park, he got extremely distressed and proceeded to have a vocal and violent tantrum. He then attempted to run away. This time, rather than tolerate the behaviour and gently reassure him. I picked him up, carried him into the bedroom of the caravan, wrapped him firmly in my arms and held him close (despite the struggles, screaming, biting, head-butting and kicking) for five hours until he finally fell asleep.

He slept for fourteen hours and when he woke he insisted on crawling around on the floor for the rest of the day (something he had never done as a baby), but the tantrums stopped. In fact he never had one again, he became a gentle, loving child and over the next few months his language developed to something approximating an age appropriate standard. By holding him close I had broken the rebellious, reckless and debilitating spirit that had held him for so long.

Mark 9: 2 -10
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.
3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.
4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
5 Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."
6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"
8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what "rising from the dead" meant.

Jesus identified the importance of keeping these three disciples close. These “Sons of Thunder” and Peter, and through that discipline he evangelised the world.

People are not easy. The people we are asked to love will thrash and bite and head-butt to remain free of discipline, while shackled to sin – but if we can keep them close, hang on to them through their hate – they will learn to trust, and feel safe with us – in Christ.

Thank you Lord for the opportunity to bring people close to you, so that they can feel the depth, width and wonder of your love. Strengthen us so that we can withstand their objections and resistance and hold them close until their struggles cease and they can be finally receptive to your message and the power that comes with a spirit-filled life in Christ. In your precious name - Amen.