Personal Blog Post: Sharing My Journey with Christ
My childhood was marked by challenges and difficulties that are commonly referred to as "dysfunctional" in today's world. However, during the tumultuous years of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I simply thought of it as our way of life. Little did we know that our experiences would later be categorized under this special term. Nevertheless, it was during this time that Jesus intervened and had a profound impact on my life.
My life underwent a significant change when I received assistance in establishing a strong connection with the overwhelming affection of Jesus for the very first time.
The photo credit goes to Laura E. Partain
In a sudden moment, my entire life was completely disrupted. This love that I experienced has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, guiding me through both challenging and joyful times. I firmly believe that my life took a different path when I first experienced God's love at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my work is the love of Jesus. As a Christian songwriter, my goal is to assist others in crafting songs that can effectively convey this incredible reality. The fundamental principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the love of Jesus to all individuals worldwide through our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced the love of God during your childhood church experiences or you turned to Him as an adult while battling addiction or you were deeply wounded by a significant loss. I have had conversations with numerous Christian songwriters who have faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce and have expressed their desire to learn how to convey their suffering through their music and how God has provided them with strength throughout it all. James Finley suggests that while God may not shield us from hardships, He miraculously supports us through every challenge we face.
However, what is the best way to express our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience the highs and lows that come with it. However, when it comes to expressing these experiences in Christian songs, it can be challenging. To assist you with this, I have three helpful suggestions that will guide you in effectively sharing your personal testimonies through music, allowing listeners to connect with and find solace, restoration, and optimism.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that resonates with a large number of individuals.
Most people have experienced loneliness or a sense of being lost at some point. By incorporating elements that people can relate to in your story, you can effectively engage them in your song. It's important for listeners to connect their own experiences with yours, allowing them to emotionally invest in your story.
If your story doesn't resonate with us and evoke memories of our own experiences, we will lose interest. One of our acquaintances, Becky Norquist, who is a former student of NCS, went through the painful experience of dealing with five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around providing support to grieving families, but she also incorporates universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced loss of any kind, which includes all of us, can relate and continue to engage with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I was introduced to the idea by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher, that has stuck with me ever since. This may seem contradictory to the previous point, but it isn't. The initial point is to identify 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 benefit the listener. If you delve too much into specifics like location, time, dates, names, or other details, there's a chance that the listener may lose interest.
By identifying the shared connection and emotional aspect in your narrative that resonates with me, you encourage me to engage with your story. If the specific elements of your story do not align with my own experiences, it may deter my interest. Despite seeming challenging, it is possible to achieve this. You can acquire the ability to strike a harmonious balance between providing sufficient or excessive details, focusing primarily on conveying your emotions throughout the ordeal, and subsequently shifting the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that depicts the victory of God in your life.
It is important to understand that there are certain details in your story that are unique to you and cannot be understood by others. To help with this, it can be beneficial to look for examples of songs that are similar to the one you want to write and observe how the songwriters engage listeners in specific emotions rather than simply stating facts or details.
Next, it is important to distinguish between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally affected and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to write a genuine song about it. Expressing your pain in your lyrics often comes across as self-centered, unless you are writing a typical country song about heartbreak. If that is what you want to do, then go ahead and do it. However, it is important to recognize that it is not a personal testimony, but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to acknowledge that they likely have their own difficulties to overcome. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why professionals like therapists and personal journals exist – they are designed to help you process and express your struggles. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you creating for them? How will they feel after hearing your song?
In my opinion, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have successfully created an uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a broad message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song solely focused on your childhood experiences, it might be beneficial to explore positive themes from the Bible that showcase God's ability to heal and overcome negative circumstances. There are numerous ways to express your testimony, so it might be worthwhile to consider alternative approaches before sharing your pain with others.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is a song that highlights how God has been victorious in your life. It is essential for your emotional well-being to have a release of emotions. It may be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but it is important to understand the difference between the two types. Catharsis is a way of expressing and releasing emotions, while testimonials focus on celebrating God's triumph over the challenges you have faced and His ultimate victory in your soul, regardless of the path you took to get there.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve into the art of writing testimony songs and much more. While there are many who are interested in free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to develop your ministry, you can click on the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call will allow you to determine if our program is the right fit for you, without any obligations. Don't hesitate to schedule your free call today.
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