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Tapping into the Depths of Your Soul
A prevalent misconception about Christian songwriting is that by acquiring a multitude of tips, tricks, and shortcuts, one can circumvent the arduous 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, as well as strong songwriting abilities. With these qualities, there is no need to search for shortcuts or quick fixes. The clarity and confidence to write well are always readily available when you are in tune with the Spirit and feel its inspiration in your heart.
The picture was taken by Laura E. Part
The prevalence of our modern fast-food culture has influenced our thinking to adopt a quick and instant mindset, making us believe that we can emulate the capabilities of CHATGPT or AI. We have this notion that we should be capable of generating a song within a matter of seconds by providing a few prompts, 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 tricks. Instead, these songs are crafted by skilled Christian songwriters who effectively convey their message through their art. They do not simply attempt to write a song one day and accidentally produce a masterpiece like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Before the major opportunities arose, these individuals were already dedicated to learning and excelling in their artistic pursuits. They consistently invested time in honing their skills in order to create impactful compositions that could deeply resonate with audiences, evoking strong emotions and leaving a lasting impression. This unique quality, often referred to as the "WOW" factor, is difficult to articulate, but unmistakable when experienced firsthand.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more time and effort I invest in practicing, the more fortunate I become in my performance.
These individuals are not searching for free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways. They are dedicated and ambitious songwriters who are actively engaged in their craft, constantly improving their poetic and lyrical skills. They are the ones who are investing their time and effort to reach a much higher level of creativity compared to most aspiring writers who are not as committed to their craft.
We all have great respect for individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys due to their incredible impact on Christian worship songwriting. It is hard to imagine where we would be without the powerful and inspiring songs like Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, we tend to overlook the fact that these songwriters have dedicated countless years to perfecting their skills and have faced numerous challenges in order to improve their songs and ministries.
The talent they have for creating catchy and memorable song titles is unmatched, but it took time for them to develop that skill. This is true for everyone, including up-and-coming artist Katy Nichole from Centricity Music. She has been sharing her songs online since she was just fourteen years old. While her song "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may appear to have gone viral by luck, that is not the case. She has been working hard at her music for years. Congratulations to Katy for her dedication and success!
Tips for Cultivating a Deep Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are numerous ways to nurture and enhance your inner life. Consider the following three aspects while striving to expand and convey your faith through your music.
Make soul care a priority. In today's fast-paced world, we often find ourselves leading busy lives with no time to take care of our own souls. Although it is important to care for others, neglecting our own need for rest and rejuvenation can lead to burnout. Taking care of ourselves should be seen as essential for maintaining our inner lives, which are inseparable from the care we give to our outer lives and our physical bodies.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to neglect their intellectual growth and believe that focusing solely on Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs is sufficient for living a sanctified life. However, the most skilled songwriters understand the importance of immersing themselves in deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to create extraordinary lyrics without first being filled with profound words. If you have not continued reading beyond college or high school, it is essential for you to pick up books again. Simply watching network or cable news to feed your fears and cultural biases does not suffice. If you desire to write something impactful that may even outlast you, it is crucial to nourish your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is solely focused on increasing ratings by spreading fear. Even the so-called "Christian" stations thrive on generating anger in order to keep viewers engaged and watching their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and conservative pundits also rely on building ratings and attracting sponsors for their shareholders. However, the constant flow of negativity they perpetuate can harm your soul and hinder your creativity. Consider taking a break from consuming any kind of news for a few weeks and use that time to sit quietly and reflect on God's love and goodness. You may find that your positivity begins to overflow into your creative work. Negativity steals your joy and fuels fear and anxiety. Take a pause and replenish your heart and mind with the Spirit of Jesus.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many more create their music from a place of abundance in their connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed, at least partially, to their proficiency as Christian songwriters. I am reminded of the famous quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, who stated that the more he practices, the more fortunate he becomes.
While you work on honing your skills in Christian songwriting, it is important to also focus on nurturing a deep and meaningful inner life. It is crucial to offer something fresh, courageous, and freeing to the world through your music, rather than simply regurgitating clichéd phrases and concepts that have been heard for years.
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