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Exploring the Depths of Personal Experience through Writing
There is a prevailing misconception about Christian songwriting that suggests if you acquire a sufficient amount of advice, shortcuts, and techniques, you can effortlessly avoid the challenging process of mastering the art of creating impactful songs that resonate with people.
In my opinion, having a deep connection with God and being a skilled songwriter are more important than relying on tips and tricks. When you have a strong spiritual foundation and the ability to write well, you don't have to search for shortcuts. The clarity and confidence to create meaningful songs are always within reach, especially when you sense the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your heart.
The image was taken by a photographer named Laura
The rapid pace of our modern digital culture has deeply influenced our thinking, leading us to believe that we can mimic the abilities of CHATGPT or AI. We have started to expect that with just a few prompts, we should be able to effortlessly generate a song within a matter of seconds, and that it will instantly captivate and impress everyone.
However, based on what I have observed, the songs that have a lasting impact on the world are not created by writers who rely on shortcuts or quick fixes. These songwriters are skilled practitioners of the art of Christian songwriting, effectively communicating profound messages through their craft. They did not simply attempt to write a song one day and accidentally produce masterpieces like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Even before the big opportunities arose, they were dedicated to improving their skills and becoming masters in their field. They were always committed to learning and perfecting the art of creating impactful lyrics and melodies, constructing songs that could deeply touch and resonate with listeners. They strived to create something that had an indescribable, but undeniable, "WOW" factor that could instantly captivate anyone who heard it.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the amount of practice one puts in directly correlates with increasing their luck.
These individuals are not searching for free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways in order to further their skills. Instead, they are dedicated songwriters who are already actively engaged in their craft, constantly learning and practicing advanced techniques in poetry and lyrics. These women and men are committed to their craft, investing time and effort to create music at a much higher standard than most aspiring writers are willing to strive for.
We hold great admiration for individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys, as they have made incredible contributions to Christian worship songwriting. It is hard to imagine where we would be without Chris Tomlin's powerful rendition of "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, we tend to overlook the fact that these songwriters have dedicated years to perfecting their skills and have faced numerous challenges in order to improve their songs and ministries.
No one becomes skilled at creating catchy song titles or hooks overnight, including the rising star Katy Nichole from Centricity Music. Katy has been sharing her songs online since she was just fourteen years old. While her hit song "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like it gained viral success by chance, it is actually the result of years of hard work and dedication. Congratulations to Katy for her achievements!
Discovering ways to cultivate a fulfilling and spiritually abundant inner life is crucial for Christian songwriters. Here are three key factors to consider when aiming to nurture and convey your faith through your music.
Make taking care of your soul a priority. In today's fast-paced world, we often find ourselves leading busy and overwhelming lives, with little time left for self-care. While it is important to care for and serve others, neglecting our own need for rest and rejuvenation can lead to burnout. It is crucial to recognize that looking after ourselves is essential for maintaining our inner well-being, which is closely connected to our outer life and physical health.
Nourish your mind. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of intellectual growth and assume that solely engaging in Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are enough for a fulfilling spiritual life. However, the most skilled songwriters understand the value of deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to create exceptional lyrics without first immersing themselves in a wealth of knowledge. If you have not pursued further reading since college, or even high school, reintroducing books into your life is essential. Merely consuming fear-inducing news from television networks or cable channels will not suffice. If you desire to write something impactful that will endure long after you are gone, it is crucial to nourish your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is focused on generating fear to increase their viewership. Even religious television stations aim to provoke anger in order to keep you engaged and exposed to their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio, shock jocks, and even conservative commentators rely on high ratings and sponsorships to maintain their jobs. However, the constant stream of negativity they spread is detrimental to your spiritual well-being and creative potential. Consider abstaining from consuming any form of news for a few weeks and use that time to reflect quietly on God's love and goodness. You may find that your positivity begins to overflow into your artistic expression. Negativity steals your happiness and intensifies fear and anxiety. Take a break and allow Jesus' Spirit to fill your heart and mind once again.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many others are able to create their music with such passion and depth because of their strong connection with God. However, their achievements and popularity can also be attributed to their talent and expertise as Christian songwriters. It reminds me of a quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, who once said, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
While you are working on improving your skills in Christian songwriting, it is important to also focus on nurturing your inner life. It is crucial to offer something fresh, daring, courageous, and freeing to the world through your music. Avoid relying on repetitive phrases and ideas that have already been heard for many years.
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