Milestone 21

I thought back to my J1 years, remembering how I used to come across statements declaring love for God.
"Jesus, I love you."
Plain and simple.
And I would think, really? Could I really say that without any uncertainty?
I realised I loved Jesus with all the head knowledge up here, but not with my heart.

"Those who say that they believe in God yet neither love nor fear him, do not so much believe in Him but in those who have taught them that God exists. Those who believe that they believe in God, but without any passion in their heart, any anguish of mind, without uncertainty, without doubt, without an element of despair even in their consolation, believe only in the God-idea, not in God."
-Miguel de Unamuno

Now I'm bordering on the age of 21.
I'm thankful, almost exhilarated to say, that somewhere between then and now, my heart has experienced that which my head acknowledged
Without a shred of doubt, I declare that I love Jesus with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life, and I shall but love him better after death.

I have anguished and doubted, despaired and received consolation, and my life continues to be plagued with the likes of these.
And yet, unwavering, unfailing is His love for me, which surpasses any love known to and exemplified by man.
Out of such a furnace is my Hosanna borne.
With each clinging on, each wee bit of faith, I grow stronger and more certain of my love for Jesus.

And so now I say this:
Jesus, I love you.