Ten years ago, one of my favorite bands came out with what would be their last full length album.  Thornhill by Moxy Fruvous is by no means one of the top 10 albums of all-time, and for that matter maybe not even one of the top 10 albums released by Canadians in 1999.  But despite the relative lack of notoriety, I like the group and the album.  I am especially drawn to one song on the album – I Will Hold On.  I have provided the song’s lyrics and a link to watch the music video via You Tube (sorry – it’s not the best picture quality).

 I Will Hold On by Moxy Fruvous (Click Here for Video)

I’ll hold you if you feel you’ll fall
I’ll hold your hand if you just need a friend
I’ll hold the line so you can call
I’ll hold the feelings you don’t want to end

You know that it’s true
When I hold you
There’ll be no secrets
I believe it

I’ll your tears if you must cry
I’ll hold your breath if that won’t make you blue
I’ll hold the truth if you must lie
I’ll hold your joys till you know what to do

You know that it’s true
When I hold you
There are no secrets
I believe it

So I will hold on
And if that’s not what you’re used to
Then I may refuse to hold on
Well maybe that’s not what you’re used to
How can I refuse you?

I’ll hold the train till you get on
I’ll hold the mirror so you can fix your hair
I’ll hold the pain till it is gone
And I’ll hold my ground when people stop and stare

You know that it’s true
When I held you
There are no secrets
You must believe it

I’ll hold the beating of my heart
I’ll hold my breath if you will tell me to
I’ll hold the hope that we won’t part
I’ll hold our deaths so I can live with you

You knew it was true
When I held you
There were no secrets
I believed it

So I will hold on
And if that’s not what you’re used to
Then I may refuse to hold on
Well maybe that’s not what you’re used to
How can I refuse you?

So I will hold on
And if that’s not what you’re used to
Then I may refuse to hold on
Well maybe that’s not what you’re used to
How can I refuse you?

What I like most about the song is its simplicity.  The singer is speaking to someone he loves – telling her about all of the things that he will do for her – in the multiple forms of what he will hold for her.  Some of these things are simple, some are noble, and some would be quite difficult.  Through all of this, he demonstrates the deep love he holds for her – explaining to her that there is nothing he won’t do for her – even if those things cause him pain.  In many ways, I think this captures the true essence of love.

For many, love is that romantic, flower and candy emotion that sweeps us off our feet.  Others look at love as a physical act – something we seek for pleasure and satisfaction.  These elements only scratch the surface.  Words mean nothing when merely spoken.  Actions have limited meaning when they are self-serving.  Love is about giving.  When two people love one another, both strive to outdo the other in what they give.  When it works, both receive more than they could ever imagine, further fueling their desires to love even more.  There is nothing in all of the human experience that can compare to this.  People living without would do anything to know it.  People living with it will do anything to maintain it.  This is why we hold on to love, even the slightest hope of love, when given the chance.

As the only true source of love in the world, our Heavenly Father knows about holding on to what He loves.  From the moment we fell into sin, God knew what He would do to restore us.  Never did He desire to let us go, to give up on the love that he has for us.  Through Him, we find a love that will last forever.  In fact, Scripture offers us one more thing to hold onto…

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” – John 8:31-32

Seek God.  Hold fast to the promises that can only come from the creator of love and know that in love, He will never let you go.