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Expressing Your Inner World Through Writing
There is a prevalent misconception surrounding Christian songwriting that suggests that by acquiring a sufficient amount of tips, tricks, and shortcuts, one can avoid the arduous task of mastering the art 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 nurture a rich inner life. With this foundation and strong songwriting skills, there is no need to resort to shortcuts. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence is always readily available, especially when inspired by the movement of the Holy Spirit in one's heart.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Part
The fast-paced nature of our modern digital culture has influenced us to adopt an instant gratification mindset, making us believe that we can emulate the capabilities of CHATGPT or AI. We mistakenly believe that we should be able to input a few prompts and generate a song within a matter of seconds, which would 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 quick fixes. Instead, these songs are created by skilled Christian songwriters who are able to effectively communicate through their art. They don't simply attempt to write a song on a whim and happen to create masterpieces like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Before the arrival of the more successful individuals, these artists were already dedicated to their craft and striving to be the best. They consistently worked on improving their skills in creating impactful lyrics and melodies, constructing captivating compositions that could deeply resonate with their audience. Their goal was to create music that evoked strong emotions and had that unexplainable, yet undeniable, "WOW" factor that instantly grabs your attention.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more time and effort I put into practicing, the more fortunate I become.
These writers are not searching for free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways. They are dedicated and motivated songwriters who are already actively learning and practicing advanced poetic and lyric techniques. These individuals are committed to their craft, investing time and effort to create at a much higher level compared to most aspiring writers.
We have great respect for individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys for their incredible impact on Christian worship songwriting. It is difficult to imagine where we would be without Chris Tomlin's powerful rendition of "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 various challenges in order to improve their songs and ministries.
No one becomes skilled at creating catchy song titles or hooks overnight, and that includes the rising star Katy Nichole from Centricity Music. She has been sharing her songs since she was just fourteen years old. While her hit "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like it gained sudden popularity, it is actually the result of years of hard work and dedication. Congratulations to Katy for her success!
There are various methods to cultivate a fulfilling and abundant inner life as a songwriter who follows the Christian faith. To enhance and convey your beliefs through your music, consider these three essential points.
Make soul care a priority. In the midst of our busy and overwhelming lives, it can be easy to neglect taking care of our own souls. However, it is important to recognize that while caring for others is essential, we will eventually exhaust ourselves if we do not also prioritize our own need for rest and rejuvenation. Whatever self-care looks like to you, it is crucial for maintaining a healthy inner life, which is closely connected to the well-being of our outer lives and physical bodies.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of intellectual growth and assume that solely focusing on Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs is sufficient for a fulfilled life. However, the most talented songwriters understand the value of deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to produce remarkable lyrics without first immersing themselves in a wealth of knowledge and ideas. If you ceased reading extensively after completing college or even high school, it is crucial for you to rekindle your love for books. Merely consuming news from network or cable channels will not suffice, as it only reinforces your fears and cultural biases. If you aspire to create something impactful that will endure long after you are gone, it is essential to nurture your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news solely focuses on generating fear in order to increase viewership. Even the religious channels use anger-inducing content to keep you engaged and expose you to their advertisements. Talk radio hosts, provocative personalities, and even conservative commentators maintain their positions by attracting high ratings and securing sponsorships for their investors. However, the constant stream of negativity they propagate not only harms your soul but also stifles your creativity. Consider taking a break from consuming any form of news for a few weeks and instead spend that time in peaceful contemplation, reflecting on God's love and goodness. You may find that this shift in focus brings about a renewed sense of positivity that permeates your music. Negativity only serves to rob you of joy and intensify feelings of fear and anxiety. Allow yourself a respite and replenish your heart and mind with the spirit of Jesus once more.
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 abilities as Christian songwriters. It reminds me of the wise words from Australian golfer Gary Player, who famously said, "The more I practice, the more fortunate I become."
While you work on honing your skills in Christian songwriting, it is important to also focus on nurturing a deep and fulfilling inner life. It is crucial to offer something fresh, daring, and empowering to the world through your music, rather than simply recycling old phrases and ideas that have been used for years.
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