Singing love songs to Jesus

A few years ago I remember talking to my spiritual director about my “relationship with Jesus” which I thought was non-existent. He (wisely) said that these things balance out over time – that growth is about ascending through the Trinity, spending some time with the Father, then the Son, then the Spirit – and then doing it all again.

I’m getting to know Jesus a bit more – largely thanks to James Alison – but also thanks to exposure to some nice friendly evangelicals – a number of whom even pay me the courtesy of reading my blog (smooch) – who have definitely ‘loosened me up’.

So much so that my Christmas morning sermon concluded with Matt Redman’s ‘Heart of Worship’, which was really good

“I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You
All about You, Jesus
I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You
It’s all about You Jesus”

It took my mother-in-law, commenting favourably on these words, to point out something that should have been obvious to my Anglo-Catholic heart. What is the point of being the Bride of Christ if you cannot sing love songs to your beloved?