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Exploring the Depths of Personal Reflection
There is a common misconception surrounding Christian songwriting that suggests acquiring a sufficient amount of advice, shortcuts, and techniques can allow individuals to evade the laborious process of mastering the art of creating impactful songs that resonate with people's hearts.
In my opinion, relying solely on tips and tricks is not enough for a committed 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, there is no need to resort to shortcuts or hacks. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence is always accessible whenever you feel the influence of the Spirit in your heart.
The picture was taken by Laura E. Part
The prevailing digital culture of quick and convenient consumption has deeply influenced our thinking, making us believe that we have the ability to replicate the prowess of CHATGPT or AI. We tend to believe that with just a few prompts, we should be able to effortlessly generate a popular song in less than three seconds, causing a sensation among everyone.
However, based on what I have personally observed, the songs that have a lasting impact on the world have been created by writers who didn't rely on shortcuts or tricks. These individuals were and continue to be skilled practitioners of Christian songwriting, effectively communicating profound messages through their artistic expression. They didn't simply attempt to write a song one day and accidentally produce a masterpiece like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Even before the arrival of prominent figures, they were already deeply immersed in their artistic pursuits, dedicated to improving their skills. They consistently sought knowledge on how to skillfully combine impactful lyrics and melodies to create captivating compositions that could deeply resonate with listeners, evoking strong emotions. This unexplainable, yet undeniable, "WOW" factor was their ultimate goal and they strived to achieve it.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more I dedicate myself to practicing, the more fortunate I become in my performance.
These individuals are not seeking out free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways in a predatory manner. They are dedicated songwriters who are already actively engaged in their craft, constantly improving their skills and exploring advanced poetic and lyrical techniques. They are committed individuals who are investing their time and effort to create music at a much higher standard than most aspiring writers are willing to commit to.
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 is difficult to imagine where we would be without the powerful songs like 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 various challenges in order to improve their songs and ministries.
No one becomes skilled at creating catchy song titles or "hooks" overnight, and this is especially true for the up-and-coming artist Katy Nichole signed to 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)" might seem like it went viral by luck, this is not the case. Katy has been working hard at her craft for many years. (Congratulations, Katy!)
Tips for Cultivating a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are numerous strategies you can employ to nurture and enhance your inner life. Here are three essential considerations to bear in mind as you strive to expand your faith and convey it through your music.
Make taking care of your soul a priority. In our fast-paced and busy lives, we often neglect our own needs for rest and rejuvenation. While it is important to care for and help others, if we don't take care of ourselves, we will eventually burn out. It is crucial to recognize the importance of self-care and understand that it is essential for maintaining a healthy inner life, which is interconnected with our outer life and physical well-being.
Nourish your mind. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of intellectual growth and mistakenly believe that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only essential aspects of a holy life. However, the most skilled songwriters understand the significance of deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to craft extraordinary lyrics without first immersing themselves in profound words. If you have stopped reading extensively since college or even high school, rediscovering the value of books is crucial for you. Merely consuming news from television networks or cable channels, which only reinforces your fears and cultural biases, does not suffice. If you aspire to write something impactful that will endure beyond your lifetime, it is imperative that you nourish your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect from negativity. The content on cable news is solely focused on generating high ratings by instilling fear. Even the so-called "Christian" stations thrive on making you angry so that you continue watching and endure their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and even conservative commentators maintain their jobs by attracting large audiences and securing sponsorships for their shareholders. However, the constant stream of negativity they emit is detrimental to your spiritual well-being and your ability to be creative. I suggest refraining from consuming any news for a few weeks and instead spend that time in quiet contemplation, reflecting on God's love and goodness. You will likely notice a significant increase in positivity that will positively impact your artistic endeavors. Negativity steals your joy and intensifies feelings of fear and anxiety. Take a break and allow Jesus' Spirit to once again fill your heart and mind.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many others are able to write songs that come from a deep connection with God. However, their success can also be attributed to their talent and abilities as Christian songwriters. This reminds me of a quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, who once said, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
While you are working on improving your skills in Christian songwriting, it is important to also focus on cultivating a deep and meaningful personal life. It is essential to bring something fresh, courageous, and freeing to the world through your music, rather than simply repeating the same old phrases and ideas that have been heard for years.
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