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Tapping into Your Inner Creativity
There is a widespread misconception about Christian songwriting that suggests if you acquire a sufficient amount of advice, shortcuts, and techniques, you can effortlessly skip the arduous process of mastering the art of creating impactful songs that resonate with people.
In my opinion, relying on tips and tricks alone is not enough for a Christian songwriter. It is essential to have a deep connection with God and a rich inner life, as well as strong songwriting abilities. With this combination, there is no need to rely on shortcuts or hacks. The clarity and confidence to write well will always be accessible whenever you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit inspiring you.
The picture was taken by Laura E. Part
The prevalence of our fast-paced digital culture has influenced us to adopt a mindset that resembles the speed and convenience of microwaves. It has led us to believe that we can replicate the abilities of advanced AI systems like CHATGPT. We have a tendency to expect that we can simply input a few prompts and instantly generate a remarkable song in less than three seconds that will amaze everyone.
However, based on what I have observed, the songs that have a lasting impact on the world were not created by writers who relied on shortcuts. These writers are skilled practitioners of the art of Christian songwriting, effectively communicating deep messages through their music. They didn't simply attempt to write a song on a whim and accidentally produce something as powerful as "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Before the arrival of the more experienced individuals, they were already dedicated to honing their skills and becoming proficient in their craft. They consistently worked towards perfecting the art of creating impactful lyrics and melodies, constructing captivating compositions that could deeply resonate with the audience's emotions. These compositions possessed a certain indescribable element, an enchanting quality that instantly captivated anyone who listened to them.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more effort and time he puts into practicing, the more fortunate he becomes on the golf course.
These individuals are not searching for free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways. They are dedicated and passionate songwriters who are already actively engaged in their craft. They are committed to honing their skills and exploring the most sophisticated techniques and approaches to poetry and lyrics. These are the individuals who are willing to invest their time and effort to create music at a much higher level compared to most aspiring writers who are not as dedicated to their craft.
We greatly appreciate individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys for their incredible impact on Christian worship songwriting. It's hard to imagine where we would be without Chris Tomlin's powerful rendition of "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, it's important to remember that these songwriters have dedicated years to perfecting their skills and have faced numerous challenges while refining their songs and ministries.
No one becomes skilled at creating catchy song titles or hooks overnight, and this applies to everyone, including the rising star of Centricity Music, Katy Nichole. Katy has been sharing her songs since she was just fourteen years old, and her popular track "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like a sudden viral success, but that is not the case. Katy has been working hard at her craft for many years. Congratulations to her for her dedication and success!
Tips for Cultivating a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
If you aspire to enhance and nourish your inner life as a Christian songwriter, there are numerous approaches you can take. Here, we will outline three essential factors to consider when aiming to flourish and convey your faith through your music.
Make soul care a priority. In our fast-paced and overwhelming lives, it can be challenging to find time for self-care. However, it is essential to ensure that we don't neglect our own need for rest and rejuvenation, even while we continue to show care and support to others. Taking care of ourselves is crucial for maintaining a healthy inner life, which is closely intertwined with the well-being of our external life and physical body.
Nourish your mind. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of intellectual growth and assume that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only essential elements of a holy life. However, the most exceptional songwriters understand the significance of deep reading. They recognize that they cannot write profound lyrics unless they themselves are filled with profound knowledge. If you have stopped reading after college, or even high school, it is crucial for you to re-engage with books. Merely consuming fear and biased information from network or cable news will not suffice. If you aspire to create something impactful that transcends your own existence, it is essential to nourish your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is solely focused on generating fear to attract viewers. Even the channels that claim to be Christian are motivated by making you angry so that you will continue watching and endure their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and even conservative commentators maintain their jobs by increasing ratings and securing sponsorships for their investors. However, the constant stream of negativity they propagate is detrimental to your soul and stifles your creativity. Consider abstaining from any form of news for a few weeks and use that time to sit quietly and reflect on the love and goodness of God. You will likely find that your positive outlook begins to overflow into your artistic work. Negativity steals your happiness and intensifies fear and anxiety. Take a break and replenish your heart and mind with the Spirit of Jesus once again.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many more, express their creativity by drawing from their deep connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed, partially at least, to their exceptional abilities as Christian songwriters. I find great appreciation for the words of Australian golfer Gary Player, who famously stated, "The more I devote myself to practice, the more fortunate I become."
While you are honing your skills in Christian songwriting, it is important to remember the importance of nurturing a deep and meaningful inner life. It is not enough to simply improve your songwriting abilities; the world is in need of something fresh, daring, courageous, and freeing from you. We must move beyond recycling old phrases and ideas that have been heard for countless years.
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