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Expressing Creativity from Within
There is a widespread misconception surrounding Christian songwriting that suggests that by simply acquiring a plethora of tips, tricks, and shortcuts, one can effortlessly avoid the arduous task of honing the skill of creating captivating songs that resonate with people.
In my opinion, relying on tips and tricks alone is not enough for a dedicated Christian songwriter. It is essential to have a deep connection with God and a rich inner life to draw inspiration from. If you possess this connection and strong songwriting skills, you don't need to search for shortcuts or quick fixes. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence is always accessible to you, especially when you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit guiding your heart.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Part
The prevalence of our fast-paced digital society has influenced us to adopt a mindset that resembles the quickness of a microwave. It has convinced us that we have the capability to mimic the abilities of advanced AI systems like CHATGPT. We believe that with just a few simple prompts, we should be able to effortlessly generate a song within a matter of seconds, one that would 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. Instead, these songs are written by skilled Christian songwriters who communicate on a deep level through their art. They do not simply attempt to write a song one day and accidentally stumble upon masterpieces like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Before the arrival of the more established figures, they were already dedicated to their craft and striving for greatness. They were continuously learning how to skillfully combine impactful words and melodies to create captivating compositions that could deeply touch the emotions and captivate the attention of listeners. They aimed to create something that had an indescribable "WOW" factor, which could be felt and recognized instantly.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more effort and time he dedicates to practicing, the more fortunate he becomes in his game.
These individuals are not searching for free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways with the intention of taking advantage. They are dedicated songwriters who are already actively working on their craft, constantly learning and practicing advanced techniques in poetry and lyrics. These women and men are investing their time and effort to create music at a much higher level than what I typically observe from aspiring writers who are not as committed to honing their skills.
We hold great admiration for individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys due to their remarkable impact on Christian worship songwriting. It's difficult to imagine the absence of Chris Tomlin's "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, and this applies to everyone, including up-and-coming artist Katy Nichole from Centricity Music. Katy has been sharing her songs online since she was only fourteen years old. Although her hit song "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like it gained viral success by luck, it is actually the result of years of hard work and dedication. Congratulations to Katy for her persistence and success!
Tips for Cultivating a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are various approaches to nurture and enhance your inner life. Here are three essential factors to consider while striving to foster your faith and convey it through your music.
It is important to prioritize taking care of your soul. In our fast-paced lives, we often have very little time to focus on our own well-being. While it is crucial to continue caring for and helping others, if we neglect our own need for rest and rejuvenation, we will eventually become exhausted. Taking care of yourself should be seen as essential for maintaining a healthy inner life, which is interconnected with the well-being of your external life and physical body.
Nourish your intellectual capabilities. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of engaging their intellect and mistakenly believe that only Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the key components of a holy life. However, the most skillful songwriters understand the value of delving into profound knowledge. They acknowledge that it is impossible to create exceptional lyrics if their minds are not enriched with profound thoughts and ideas beforehand. If you ceased reading extensively after completing college or even high school, it is crucial for you to resume immersing yourself in books. Merely consuming fear-inducing content and reinforcing your preconceived notions by watching news channels will not suffice. If you aspire to craft something impactful that can transcend your own existence, it is imperative to fuel your mind with exemplary literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is solely focused on generating fear in order to attract viewers. Even channels that claim to have Christian values thrive on provoking anger in order to retain viewership and advertising revenue. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and conservative pundits maintain their positions by attracting high ratings and sponsorships for their investors. However, the constant stream of negativity they spew has a detrimental effect on your soul and creativity. Try abstaining from consuming any news for a few weeks and instead spend that time in quiet contemplation, reflecting on God's love and goodness. You may find that your positive outlook begins to overflow into your creative endeavors. Negativity steals your joy and heightens feelings of fear and anxiety. Take a break and immerse your heart and mind in the spirit of Jesus once again.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many others are able to create powerful and meaningful music because of their deep connection with God. However, their success is also attributed to their talent and expertise as Christian songwriters. This reminds me of the famous quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, who stated that the more he practiced, the more fortunate he became.
While you focus on honing your Christian songwriting skills, it is important to also nurture a deep and fulfilling inner life. It is crucial to offer the world something fresh, daring, courageous, and freeing through your music, instead of simply regurgitating old phrases and concepts that have been heard for years.
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