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Expressing the Depths of Your Inner World
There is a prevailing misconception in Christian songwriting that suggests that if you acquire a sufficient amount of advice, shortcuts, and strategies, you can avoid the challenging process of acquiring the skills necessary to create impactful songs that resonate with people.
In my opinion, relying on tips and tricks alone is not enough for a devout Christian songwriter. It is important to have a deep connection with God and a rich inner life to draw inspiration from. When you possess this spiritual connection and strong songwriting abilities, you won't need to rely on shortcuts. The clarity and confidence to write well will always be accessible to you whenever you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit guiding your heart.
The photograph has been taken by Laura E.
The modern culture of quick and convenient digital consumption has influenced our thinking to expect instant results, making us believe that we can become as skilled as CHATGPT or AI. We tend to believe that we should be capable of generating a remarkable song within a few seconds by simply providing a few prompts.
However, based on what I have observed, the songs that have a lasting impact on the world are not created by writers who take shortcuts. Instead, they are crafted by skilled Christian songwriters who effectively communicate through their art. These writers don't 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 arrival of the more experienced individuals, they were already dedicating themselves to studying and striving to become proficient in their craft. They consistently sought to expand their knowledge on how to skillfully create impactful lyrics and melodies, forming captivating compositions that could deeply resonate with audiences. These compositions possessed an indescribable quality that evoked strong emotions and left a lasting impression on listeners, often described as an irresistible "WOW" factor.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more he dedicates time to practicing, the more fortunate he becomes in his sport. He believes that putting in consistent effort and honing his skills leads to increased success and opportunities.
These writers are not actively seeking out free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways. Instead, they are dedicated and committed individuals who are already working on their craft. They are continuously learning and practicing advanced techniques in poetry and lyrics. These individuals are investing their time and effort to create music at a much higher level than most aspiring writers are willing to do.
We hold great admiration for individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys due to their incredible impact on Christian worship songwriting. It is difficult to imagine where we would be without Chris Tomlin's remarkable rendition of "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, it is important to remember that these songwriters have dedicated years to perfecting their skills and have faced numerous challenges in order to refine their songs and ministries.
No one becomes successful overnight, and that includes the talented artist Katy Nichole from Centricity Music. She has been sharing her songs since she was only fourteen years old. Although her song "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like it gained instant popularity, it is important to note that Katy has been working hard and pursuing her musical career for many years. Congratulations to Katy for her dedication and success!
Discovering ways to nurture and cultivate a flourishing and fulfilling inner life is crucial for Christian songwriters. Here are three essential factors to consider while striving to expand and articulate your faith through your music.
Make taking care of your soul a priority. In our fast-paced lives, it can be challenging to find time for self-care. However, it is important to ensure that we don't neglect our own need for rest and rejuvenation. While it is crucial to care for others, failing to take care of ourselves can lead to burnout. Therefore, it is essential to consider self-care as necessary for maintaining a healthy inner life, which is interconnected with the well-being of our outer life and physical body.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters overlook the importance of engaging their minds and mistakenly believe that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only essential aspects of a holy life. However, the most talented songwriters understand the significance of deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to create profound lyrics without first immersing themselves in exceptional words. If you have neglected reading since college, or even high school, it is crucial for you to pick up a book again. Consuming fear-inducing news from television networks or cable channels does not suffice. If you aspire to write something impactful that transcends your own lifetime, it is imperative to nourish your mind with outstanding literature, poetry, and other sources of inspiration.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is solely focused on generating fear in order to increase their ratings. Even the so-called "Christian" stations rely on anger-inducing content to keep viewers engaged and sit through their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio, shock jocks, and even conservative pundits maintain their positions by attracting high ratings and securing sponsorships for their stakeholders. However, the constant stream of negativity they emit is detrimental to your soul and creativity. Try abstaining from any form of news for a few weeks and utilize that time to sit quietly, reflecting on the love and goodness of God. You will likely find that your positive outlook starts to overflow into your music. Negativity steals your joy and intensifies feelings of fear and anxiety. Take a break and allow Jesus' Spirit to replenish your heart and mind once again.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many more, create music that is a result of their deep connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed to their proficiency in songwriting. It 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 work on honing your skills in Christian songwriting, it is important to also focus on nurturing your inner self. It is crucial to offer something fresh, daring, courageous, and freeing to the world, rather than simply repeating phrases and ideas that have been heard for years.
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