Regarding being all out romantically in love, I was in love once. She married someone else. It still hurts. Yet I pray for her sometimes, since to truly love people is to want the best for her or him. Now if I am ever blessed to romantically fall in love again and get married, I know I will tell everyone I know: “I am in love!” I will probably tell some people I do not know. And I am quite certain she will dominate my screen saver.
Regarding my true love which I have had for over 31 years, I now consider the fact that in my heart this entire time I have wanted to tell the world I am in love with Jesus. Usually there has been a purpose in telling others about Jesus: I want others to likewise receive the true love of Jesus, which is offered to everyone, and gain the eternal life and goodness which results from receiving His love. Yet even in addition to wanting others to be in a true loving relationship with the Lord God Almighty, sometimes I express to someone that I love Jesus simply because I am in love. I think expressing your heart is a natural need.
Here in 2021, I have engaged in an unusual expression of my heart. Though I had a mask in 2020 which really fit and which was very protective, I remained on a long search for a mask which genuinely expressed me, and which I thought was classy. To me, covering up my face is personal, since your face is what first identifies you to most people. After a long search, last winter I bought a mask online which states: Jesus loves you, with “love” expressed by the symbol of a heart. It became my go-to mask.
Now I was not expecting mask compliments, yet I have had many. Students at school sporting events, two cashiers, a security guard, a fellow customer in a store, and two stocking clerks. Comprising of a variety of ethnic groups, the one cashier was a woman from India. I was encouraged by each and every compliment! But even if weird looks is all I ever got, I would wear the mask because being in love with Jesus is my life. We human beings, who are made in the image of God, need true love for life. And I live by the love of Jesus!
Being in love with Jesus, there are still numerous hardships. In this world where there was a separation between God and people, there are countless wrongdoings and hurts. Even we Christians still sin. We need to be grateful that we have the forgiveness of our sins, which would have otherwise resulted in spiritual death. And we can be thankful God keeps improving us. Yet the journey is still full of many hardships. In following Jesus for over 31 years, I have had consistent rough times. Yet what has remained has been His true love.
If you love Jesus you do not need to go out and get a mask like mine, or a t-shirt, or a bumper sticker. Rather express your love for Jesus in a manner fitting for you, which includes actions. Yet saying “I love You” is always a good thing. May I encourage you this very day, when you have a moment of time all alone, to tell Jesus, “I love You.”
And know that Jesus loves you.
Hunter Irvine
