Personal Testimony Blog
Sharing my Experience of Finding Christ
Growing up in the chaotic and challenging times of the 1960's and '70s, my childhood was far from ideal. It was only later that society labeled it as "dysfunctional." Despite not knowing the specific term back then, my life took a turn when Jesus entered the picture and brought about a significant change.
My life went through a profound change when someone assisted me in discovering the overwhelming and indescribable love that Jesus has for me.
Image captured by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This love I experienced has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, guiding me through both the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, as well as the positive experiences. I can confidently say that the course of my life was permanently altered when I first felt the love of God at the age of eighteen.
This is the driving force that keeps me going and motivates me in my career. It is the reason why I am dedicated to being a Christian songwriter and assisting you in creating songs that can effectively convey this incredible truth. The fundamental principle behind Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our various platforms, such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the message of Jesus' love to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story of faith? It could be that you experienced God's love during your childhood church experiences, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you have faced a significant loss that shattered you emotionally. I have had conversations with numerous Christian songwriters who have gone through immense pain, abuse, or divorce, and they were eager to learn how to convey their suffering and how God carried them through it. James Finley suggests that God doesn't shield us from hardships, but instead provides miraculous support throughout our journey.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the joys and challenges that come our way. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences in Christian music, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that I believe will assist you in considering the most effective ways to communicate your own stories in a manner that resonates with listeners, offering them solace, restoration, and optimism.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are familiar experiences that everyone can relate to at some point. By sharing a story that resonates with people, you are creating an opportunity for them to connect with your music. It is essential for our own experiences to be intertwined with yours in some way. This allows us to personally connect and become emotionally invested in your story.
If your story does not resonate with us and evoke familiarity with something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. Our acquaintance and former student at NCS, Becky Norquist, endured five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around supporting families in grief, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has encountered any form of loss – which includes all of us – can connect with her music and remain engaged.
Next, focus on depicting the feeling rather than specific elements.
The idea that songwriter and publisher, Dave Clark (Lillenas Music), once shared has stuck with me. It may seem contradictory at first, but it isn't. The initial idea is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second idea is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that won't be helpful to your listener. If you delve too much into specifics like location, time, dates, names, or other details, you might end up losing the audience's interest.
When you identify the shared connection and shared feeling in your story that I can understand, you welcome me into your narrative. If the specific details of your story don't align with mine, it can discourage me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can learn to find the right amount of detail to focus on your emotions during the difficult experience, and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that depicts the ways in which God has brought victory and success into your life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your own story that may not be relatable to others. To aid in writing a song, it can be helpful to find examples of songs that evoke the emotions you want to convey and observe how the writers engage listeners without simply listing specific details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you are still emotionally affected by a traumatic experience, it can be difficult to create an authentic song that reflects it. Expressing your pain through lyrics may be perceived as self-centered, unless you are composing a traditional country song that evokes sadness. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but be aware that it is not a genuine testimony, but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles to cope with. If you simply unload your own pain onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for your personal issues and emotional wounds. It's crucial to think about the impact your lyrics will have on your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you creating for them? How will they feel after hearing your song?
In my opinion, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have done an excellent job with their energetic praise song "My Testimony" by conveying a universal message based on Scripture. Instead of writing a song that focuses on your childhood story, it might be worthwhile to explore positive biblical themes that highlight how God's healing power triumphs over negative experiences. There are countless ways to express your testimony, so it would be beneficial to explore different approaches before delving into personal pain in your music.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that reflects how God has overcome challenges in your life. The process of catharsis is crucial for your emotional well-being. It might be beneficial for you to write these songs for your own healing, but it is important to recognize the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's victory over the difficulties you have faced, ultimately bringing strength to your spirit regardless of the path taken.
In our eight-week online coaching and mentoring program called NCS Pro Song Mastery, we delve into testimony songs and other valuable topics. While many people are interested in finding free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are serious about advancing your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to develop your ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call will help you determine if our program is suitable for you, and there is no obligation to commit. Schedule your free call by clicking here.
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