Personal Blog Post:
Sharing My Experience of Finding Faith
Growing up in the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 70s, my childhood was marked by what is now referred to as a "dysfunctional" family. However, back then, it was simply the reality of our lives. Little did we know that our struggles would later be given a label. Nevertheless, amidst the chaos, Jesus played a significant role in my journey, ultimately leading me to find faith.
My life went through a significant change when someone assisted me in experiencing the incomprehensible love of Jesus for the very first time.
The photo was taken by a photographer named Laura E
In a single moment, my entire life was completely changed. This love that I experienced has been the source of strength and support for me for more than five decades, guiding me through both the highs and lows, the moments of success and moments of sorrow, as well as the positive experiences. The significant turning point in my life occurred when I first felt the love of God at the age of eighteen, and this has shaped the course of my life ever since.
The driving force behind my presence and actions is the love of Jesus. It is the motivation behind my career as a Christian songwriter and my desire to assist others in creating songs that can capture the beauty of this reality. The fundamental principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our various platforms is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
Do you have a personal story to share?
Perhaps when you were a child, you experienced God's love in church, or as an adult, you turned to Him for help with addiction. It's possible that you went through a devastating loss that left you broken. Many Christian songwriters who have faced significant challenges like abuse, divorce, or profound grief have reached out to us for coaching. They are eager to learn how to express their pain through their music and how God has supported them throughout their struggles. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from difficult circumstances, but rather miraculously sustains us through them.
However, the question remains, how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences through Christian music, how can we effectively capture our stories? Here are three tips that I believe will assist you in reflecting on how to skillfully convey your testimonies in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common emotions that everyone can relate to at some point in their lives. When you share your story in a way that others can connect with, it becomes easier for them to become engaged in your narrative. It is important for people to be able to find elements of their own experiences within your story, allowing them to establish a deeper connection and develop a fondness for it.
If there isn't anything in your story that resonates with us and reminds us of our own experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a friend of ours and a former student at NCS, went through the heartbreaking experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around supporting grieving families, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs that anyone who has experienced any kind of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I remember hearing Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, say something that stuck with me. It might seem contradictory at first, but it's actually not. The first point is to come up with a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that won't be beneficial to your listener. If you delve too much into specifics like locations, dates, names, or other irrelevant information, you might end up losing your audience's interest.
When you find the shared connection and shared feeling in your story that resonates with me, it allows me to become a part of your narrative. If the specific details you provide don't align with my own experiences, it can deter me from fully engaging. Though it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient or excessive detail, focusing on how you felt during the difficult times and then shifting towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a tribute song is one that demonstrates the victory of God in your personal experiences.
…a tribute song is one that portrays the triumph of God in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your story that we may not be able to relate to. To assist in writing a song, it can be helpful to look for examples of songs that evoke certain emotions and observe how the songwriters engage listeners without solely focusing on specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you are still emotionally wounded and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to authentically express it through a testimonial song. Often, pouring your heart out in your lyrics can be perceived as self-centered, unless you are writing a sorrowful country song that allows for such emotions. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but it is important to understand that it may not be considered a genuine testament, but rather a somber country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles to contend with. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may not remain engaged for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – to provide an outlet for expressing your dysfunction and pain. Take into account the impact of your lyrics on your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you inviting them into? How will they feel after listening to your song?
In my opinion, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have successfully created an uplifting worship song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a broad message based on Scripture. Instead of writing a song centered around your personal childhood story, it might be more beneficial to focus on highlighting positive biblical themes that showcase God's healing abilities in overcoming negativity. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be wise to explore alternative methods before delving into the depths of your pain in front of others.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that illustrates how God succeeded in your life. Emotional release is crucial for your well-being. It might be beneficial for you to write such songs for yourself as well, but it's important to recognize the distinction between the two types. Emotional release is like unloading your feelings, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the challenges you faced and His ultimate victory in your soul, regardless of the path you took.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and takes place online, we delve into testimony songs and various other topics. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and feel a deep calling to develop your ministry, you can use the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call will allow you to assess whether this program aligns with your needs and interests. Don't hesitate to schedule your free call today.
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