Personal Testimony in Blog Writing
My journey to finding Christ began during a challenging childhood that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" today. Back in the tumultuous years of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I were simply living through what we considered to be ordinary life. At that time, we were unaware that our experiences would later be labeled with a specific term. However, it was during this period that Jesus somehow intervened in my life.
My life went through a profound change when someone guided me to experience the inexplicable love that Jesus has for us.
The photo was taken by a photographer named Laura E
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. The love I experienced during that time has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, guiding me through both the highs and lows, the successes and heartbreaks, and even the ordinary joys. I can confidently say that the course of my life took a permanent shift when I first encountered the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my presence and the motivation behind my actions is the love of Jesus. This love is what drives me to be a Christian songwriter and assist others in crafting songs that can capture the essence of this incredible reality. The fundamental belief of Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth, which is why we have various platforms such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs.
Do you have a personal story to share?
Perhaps you experienced the love of God during your childhood church visits, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It could also be that you were deeply hurt by a significant loss. Through our coaching programs, I have spoken to numerous Christian songwriters who have endured immense suffering, such as abuse or divorce, and are eager to learn how to convey their pain and the way God supported them through it. According to James Finley, God does not shield us from hardships, but rather provides us with miraculous strength to endure 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 in Christian songs, how can we do it effectively? Here are three tips that can assist you in considering the best ways to convey your testimonies in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Start by finding a shared element in your story that many individuals can relate to.
We all understand the feeling of loneliness or being lost at times. The most effective way to connect with others through your story is by allowing them to relate to it. It is important to incorporate elements of our own experiences so that we can connect and resonate with your story. By leaving room for our own interpretations, we can truly appreciate and connect with your story.
If there is nothing in your narrative that captures our attention and resonates with our own experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a friend of ours who attended NCS, went through the heart-wrenching experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around providing solace to grieving families, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has faced any type of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and continue to engage with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the overall feeling or mood rather than getting caught up
The statement was originally made by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, and it has stuck with me ever since. Although it may seem contradictory at first, it actually makes sense. The first point emphasizes the importance of choosing a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point advises against including irrelevant details in your song that do not contribute to the listener's understanding or enjoyment. If you get too caught up in providing specific information about the location, time, dates, names, or other unnecessary details, there is a chance that the listener may become disengaged or lose interest.
When you identify the shared themes and emotions in your story that resonate with me, it allows me to connect with your song. If the specific details of your story don't align with my own experiences, it may deter me from fully engaging. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient details and overwhelming the audience, focusing on the emotions you experienced during the trial and then shifting towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a song of testimony is a musical expression that highlights the ways in which God has achieved victory in your life.
It is important to consider the unique details of your own experience that may not be relatable to others. To help with this, you can look for examples of songs that capture the emotion you want to convey and observe how the songwriters engage listeners by evoking emotions rather than simply stating facts.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally affected and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to write an authentic song about it. Expressing your raw emotions through lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you are aiming to create a heartfelt country song. If that is your intention, then go ahead and do it, but understand that it would be more of a melancholic country song rather than a genuine testimony.
When considering your audience, it is important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles and challenges to cope with. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may not pay attention for long. This is why professionals like therapists and journals exist – to serve as a safe outlet for expressing your inner turmoil and pain. It is crucial to think about the impact your lyrics will have on 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 done an excellent job with their lively worship song "My Testimony" by conveying a universal message rooted in Scripture. Instead of focusing on telling a personal story about your childhood, it might be more beneficial to explore Scriptural themes that highlight the transformative and healing power of God over any negative experiences. There are countless ways to express your testimony, so it would be wise to consider alternative approaches before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that reflects how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis, which involves releasing and purging negative emotions. While it may be beneficial to write cathartic songs for your own healing, it is important to recognize that there is a distinction between testimonial songs and cathartic ones. Testimonial songs celebrate God's triumph over the difficulties you have faced and highlight His ultimate victory in your inner being, regardless of the path taken to reach it.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks, we delve into the art of testimony songs and many other aspects of songwriting. While many individuals seek 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, we invite you to click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call does not come with any obligations and serves as an opportunity to determine if our program aligns with your needs. You can schedule your free call by accessing the link provided.
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