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Expressing your Inner World through Writing
There is a prevalent misconception surrounding Christian songwriting that suggests if you acquire a sufficient amount of advice, techniques, and shortcuts, you can avoid the challenging process of mastering the art of creating impactful songs that resonate with people.
In my opinion, relying solely on tips and tricks is not enough for a Christian songwriter. It is essential to have a deep connection with God and a rich inner life in order to create meaningful songs. When you possess this connection and possess strong songwriting skills, you don't need shortcuts or hacks. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence is always within reach, especially when you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit inspiring you.
This photo was taken by Laura E. Part
The modern culture of quickly consuming digital content has influenced us to adopt a mindset of instant gratification, making us believe that we can emulate the capabilities of CHATGPT or AI. We believe that we should be capable of inputting a few prompts and generating a song within seconds that will amaze everyone.
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. These songwriters are skilled practitioners of the art of Christian songwriting and effectively communicate profound messages through their work. They didn't simply attempt to write a song one day and accidentally produce masterpieces like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Prior to the arrival of the more established individuals, they were already immersed in their artistic pursuits, striving to excel. They consistently engaged in self-education, focusing on the skill of skillfully combining impactful words and melodies to create captivating compositions. Their intent was to captivate listeners by evoking strong emotions, creating a certain indescribable "WOW" factor that is unmistakable when experienced.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more effort he puts into practicing, the more fortunate he becomes.
These individuals are not seeking free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways in a careless manner. These are dedicated songwriters who are already actively engaged in their craft, constantly learning and honing their skills in order to achieve the most profound and poetic lyrics. These women and men are committed to paying their dues and investing considerable time into their craft, surpassing the level of dedication that I observe in most aspiring writers.
Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys are greatly respected for the valuable impact they have made in Christian worship songwriting. It is difficult to imagine a world without Chris Tomlin's iconic "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, we tend to overlook the fact that these talented individuals have dedicated numerous years to perfecting their skills and have faced numerous challenges in order to improve their songs and ministries.
No one becomes successful overnight, and this applies to their ability to create catchy song titles or hooks. Katy Nichole, a rising star in Centricity Music, has been sharing her songs since she was only fourteen years old. Although her hit song "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like it gained viral popularity by luck, that is not the case. Katy has been working hard at her music for many years. Congratulations to her for her dedication and success!
Ways to Cultivate a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are numerous approaches to nurturing and experiencing a rich and fulfilling inner life. Consider these three essential aspects while aiming to expand and convey your faith through your music.
Make taking care of your soul a priority. In our fast-paced and busy lives, we often neglect the need to care for our own souls. It is important to remember that while we should still care for and serve others, if we do not take the time to rest and replenish ourselves, we will eventually burn out. Taking care of our inner life is just as crucial as taking care of our outer life and physical body. So, whatever self-care means to you, make sure to prioritize it in order to maintain a balanced and fulfilling life.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of engaging their minds and mistakenly believe that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only crucial components of a holy life. However, the most exceptional songwriters understand the significance of delving deep into other sources. They recognize that it is impossible to craft exceptional lyrics if they themselves are not filled with exceptional words. If you have stopped reading extensively after completing college or even high school, it is essential for you to pick up books once again. Merely consuming fear and allowing your cultural biases to be reinforced by watching network or cable news does not suffice. If you aspire to write anything that can make a significant impact and endure beyond your own lifetime, it is imperative to nourish your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is focused on generating fear to attract viewership. Even the so-called "Christian" channels thrive on provoking anger to keep you engaged and exposed to their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio, shock jocks, and even conservative commentators maintain their positions by boosting ratings and attracting sponsors. However, the constant stream of negativity they spread is detrimental to your well-being and creativity. Consider taking a break from consuming any form of news for a few weeks and instead spend that time in quiet reflection, contemplating the love and goodness of God. You may find that your positive outlook begins to overflow into your artistic expressions. Negativity not only steals your happiness but also increases feelings of fear and anxiety. Take a pause 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 compose their music from a place of abundant connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed, at least partially, to their talent as Christian songwriters. I greatly appreciate the sentiment expressed by Australian golfer Gary Player, who famously stated, "The more I dedicate myself to practice, the more fortunate I become."
While you are working on your Christian songwriting ministry, it is crucial to also focus on cultivating a deep and meaningful inner life. It is important to remember that the world is in need of fresh and groundbreaking ideas from you, rather than simply recycling the same old phrases and concepts that have been heard for years.
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