Personal Blog Post
Sharing My Journey to Finding Christ
My childhood was far from perfect and is often described as "dysfunctional" by others. However, during the chaotic years of the 1960s and 1970s, it was just the way life was for us. We had no idea that one day this type of upbringing would be labeled with a specific term, but by some means, Jesus stepped into my life and made a difference.
My life went through a profound change when someone assisted me in establishing a profound connection with the incomprehensible affection that Jesus has for us.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a split second, my entire life was completely disrupted. This enduring love has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, carrying me through the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and also the blessings. I can confidently say that the course of my life was permanently altered when I experienced God's love for the very first time at the age of eighteen.
The reason I continue to be present and engaged is because of this. It is the driving force behind my actions and choices. This is why I pursue a career as a Christian songwriter and aim to assist others in crafting songs that can effectively convey this incredible truth. The fundamental principle that guides Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of our various platforms – podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs – is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
Do you have a personal story to share about your faith? It could be that you experienced God's love during your childhood church experiences, or perhaps you found Him later in life while overcoming addiction. It's also possible that you were deeply affected by a significant loss. Many Christian songwriters who have faced immense hardship, such as abuse, divorce, or grief, have expressed interest in our coaching programs. They want to learn how to effectively convey their pain and the ways in which God has provided them with strength and support. As James Finley puts it, "God doesn't shield us from life's challenges, but rather miraculously helps us endure them."
However, the question remains: How can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through impactful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories in Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? Here are three tips that I believe will assist you in considering the best ways to capture your unique experiences in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Initially, attempt to discover a unifying element in your narrative that resonates with a large number of individuals.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common experiences that everyone can relate to at times. By allowing people to connect with your story, you create a bridge for them to enter into your song. It is important for us to find elements of our own experiences in your narrative. This enables us to emotionally invest in your story and develop a sense of affection towards it.
If your story fails to capture our attention and resonate with our own experiences, we will lose interest. A person we know, Becky Norquist, who has attended NCS, went through the difficult experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Through her music and ministry, she primarily addresses the needs of grieving families. However, she also incorporates broader themes in her songs, allowing anyone who has experienced any form of loss, which includes all of us, to connect and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I was introduced to the idea by the well-known songwriter and publisher, Dave Clark from Lillenas Music, and it has stuck with me ever since. At first, it may seem contradictory, but it's actually not. 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 don't contribute to the listener's understanding. If you delve too much into specific locations, times, dates, names, or other specifics, there's a chance of losing the audience's interest.
When you identify the underlying theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, it allows me to connect with your song. If the specific details don't align with my own experiences, it may deter me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient or excessive details, focusing on how you felt during the difficult period, and then shifting towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that demonstrates how God has achieved victory in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that depicts the triumph of God in your life.
It is important to understand that there may be certain details in your story that are unique to you, making it difficult for others to relate. To overcome this, it can be helpful to look for examples of songs that are similar to the one you want to write and observe how the songwriters engage listeners by evoking emotions rather than simply describing specific details.
Additionally, it is important to understand and distinguish between catharsis and testimonial.
When you are still emotionally affected and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to authentically express it through a testimonial song. Sharing your pain through lyrics can sometimes be perceived as self-centered, unless you are specifically writing a country song that evokes sorrow and heartbreak. If that is your intention, then by all means go ahead. Just keep in mind that it won't be considered a genuine testimony, but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles and challenges to deal with. If you simply unload your own pain onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. That's why professionals like therapists and personal journals exist – they are designed to be a safe space for expressing and processing your own emotional difficulties. It's crucial to think about the impact your lyrics will have on your listeners. What kind of emotional environment 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 energetic and uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a message rooted in Scripture. Instead of focusing on writing a song about your personal childhood experiences, it may be more beneficial to explore positive biblical themes that highlight God's healing power over any negative aspects. 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 a song that showcases how God has prevailed in your life. The act of catharsis is crucial for your emotional well-being. It may also be beneficial for you to write such songs for your own personal healing, but it's important to recognize that there is a distinction between the two types of songs. Catharsis involves expressing and releasing emotions, while testimonials highlight God's triumph over the challenges you have faced, emphasizing His ultimate victory in your spirit regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which is conducted online over a period of eight weeks, we explore the art of storytelling through songs and many other aspects. While many individuals may seek free courses and webinars on Christian songwriting, if you are eager to enhance your songwriting skills and have a deep desire to establish your own ministry, you can click on the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call will allow you to determine if our program aligns with your goals and aspirations. Take the opportunity to schedule your free call now.
Please feel free to share this article with your friends. If you have any thoughts or comments, please leave them below. Additionally, you can save your name, email, and website in this browser for future comments.
In this code snippet, the element with the ID "ak_js_1" is being selected with the help of the `getElementById` method. The `setAttribute` method is then used to set the value attribute of this element
Categorized under
Stay connected with us
Explore additional blog posts
Grouped into different categories
Keywords
Trending articles:
Begin your journey
Highly recommended podcasts
Notable characteristics
Information about us
Courses tailored for you
Enroll now and receive our complimentary Pro Songwriters Top 10 Tip Sheet