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Expressing from a Deep Internal World
A prevailing misconception surrounding Christian songwriting is the belief that by acquiring a sufficient amount of tips, tricks, and shortcuts, one can avoid the arduous process of mastering the skill of creating impactful songs that resonate with people.
In my opinion, relying solely on tips and tricks is not enough for a dedicated Christian songwriter. It is essential to have a deep connection with God and a rich inner life, which will serve as a constant source of inspiration. With a strong foundation in songwriting skills and a strong spiritual connection, one does not need to resort to shortcuts or hacks. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence is always readily available whenever the Spirit stirs one's heart.
The photo credit for this image goes to Laura
The prevalence of our fast-paced digital culture has influenced our thinking to adopt a quick and instant mentality, making us believe that we can emulate the capabilities of CHATGPT or AI. We often expect to input a few prompts and effortlessly generate a popular song in less than three seconds, expecting it to amaze 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. Instead, these songs are crafted by skilled Christian songwriters who effectively communicate their message through their art. They do not merely attempt to write a song and accidentally create masterpieces like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Even before the prominent individuals entered the picture, they were already dedicating themselves to learning and improving their skills in their field. They were consistently gaining knowledge on how to skillfully combine impactful words and melodies to create captivating compositions that could deeply resonate with audiences, evoking strong emotions. These compositions possessed an unexplainable, yet undeniable quality that left a lasting impression on listeners, often eliciting a sense of awe.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more effort and dedication I put into practicing, the more fortunate I become in my endeavors.
These individuals are not seeking free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways. They are dedicated and committed songwriters who are already actively engaged in learning and practicing advanced poetics and lyric techniques. They are the ones who are investing their time and effort to create at a much higher level than most aspiring writers are willing to do.
We hold great respect for individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys for their remarkable impact on Christian worship songwriting. It's difficult to imagine where we would be without Chris Tomlin's impactful rendition of "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, we tend to overlook the fact that these songwriters have dedicated years to perfecting their art 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. This also applies to up-and-coming artist Katy Nichole, who has been sharing her songs since she was just fourteen years old. Her popular track "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may have seemed like a sudden viral success, but it was actually the result of years of hard work and dedication. Congratulations to Katy for her perseverance!
Ways to Cultivate a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are numerous approaches to nurturing and experiencing a fulfilling inner life. Consider these three principles as you strive to enhance and convey your faith through your music.
Make soul care a priority. In today's fast-paced world, we are all caught up in the chaos of our lives, leaving very little time for taking care of our own souls. Even though it is important to care for and serve others, neglecting our own need for rest and rejuvenation can lead to burnout. No matter how you define self-care, it is crucial for nurturing your inner life, which is interconnected with the well-being of your external life and physical body.
Nurture your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of engaging their minds and assume that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only crucial aspects of a holy life. However, the most exceptional songwriters understand the significance of delving deep into knowledge. They recognize that it is impossible to craft extraordinary lyrics if they have not immersed themselves in profound words first. If you halted your reading habits after college, or even during high school, it is essential for you to pick up books again. Merely consuming fear-inducing and culturally biased content from network or cable news does not suffice. If you aspire to write something that can have a lasting impact, surpassing your own lifetime, it is imperative to nourish your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other sources of inspiration.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is solely focused on increasing ratings by spreading fear. Even the "Christian" channels thrive on making you angry so that you continue watching and endure their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio, shock jocks, and even conservative commentators maintain their positions by attracting viewers and attracting sponsors for their stakeholders. However, the constant stream of negativity they spew is detrimental to your soul and creativity. Try abstaining from any news for a few weeks and use that time to sit quietly and reflect on the love and goodness of God. You will notice that your positive outlook will start to overflow into your music. Negativity robs you of joy 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, are able to create music that stems from their deep connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed, at least partially, to their proficiency as Christian songwriters. I find great appreciation in the words of Australian golfer Gary Player, who famously stated, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
While you are working on improving your skills in Christian songwriting, it is important to remember to also nurture a deep and meaningful inner life. It is necessary to offer something fresh, courageous, and transformative to the world through your music, rather than simply recycling the same old phrases and ideas that have been heard for many years.
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