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Expressing Your Personal Journey
I discovered my faith in Jesus after experiencing a challenging upbringing that is now commonly referred to as "dysfunctional." However, during the tumultuous times of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I were simply navigating through life without realizing the significance of our circumstances. Nevertheless, Jesus miraculously stepped into my life and brought about a transformative change.
My life underwent a profound change when I received assistance in establishing a deep connection with the indescribable affection of Jesus for the very first time.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This love that 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 moments. The turning point in my life occurred when I first felt the overwhelming love of God at the age of eighteen, and this has forever altered the course of my journey.
The reason for my existence is what keeps me going. It drives me to pursue my passion as a songwriter who focuses on Christian music, aiming to assist others in creating songs that capture the beauty of this remarkable reality. The fundamental principle that guides Nashville Christian Songwriters is the love of Jesus, which is the foundation of all our content, including podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs. Our mission is to spread this love to every individual on Earth.
Do you have a personal story to share?
Perhaps you experienced the love of God during your childhood church visits, or you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you have faced a significant loss that left you broken. Many Christian songwriters who have gone through intense struggles such as abuse, divorce, or grief have expressed interest in our coaching programs. They are eager to learn how to convey their pain through their music and how God supported them during those difficult times. James Finley once said, "While God may not spare us from hardships, He miraculously provides us with strength to endure them."
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the positive and negative aspects of life. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences in Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that I believe will assist you in considering the most impactful ways to share your stories through music, allowing listeners to connect, find solace, and gain inspiration.
To begin, attempt to discover a shared theme within your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that are familiar to everyone. By creating a story that resonates with people, you can effectively engage them in your song. It is important to include elements that connect with their own experiences, allowing them to relate and become emotionally invested in your narrative.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and resonates with our own experiences, we will lose interest. One of our friends, Becky Norquist, who is a former student of NCS, has gone through the difficult experience of having five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around supporting grieving families, but she also incorporates broader themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which is all of us – can relate to and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on expressing the feeling rather than getting caught up in specific particulars
During a conversation with Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher, he shared a memorable piece of advice. Although it may seem contradictory, his first point is to identify a central theme or emotion that will serve as the foundation for your song. The second point emphasizes the importance of avoiding superfluous details in your lyrics that may confuse or disengage the listener. By steering clear of excessive information such as specific locations, dates, names, and other unnecessary specifics, you can ensure that your song remains focused and relatable to the audience.
By identifying the shared themes and emotions in your story that resonate with me, you encourage me to become engaged in your narrative. If the specific details of your story do not align with my own experiences, it may deter me from connecting with it. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient details and avoiding excessive information, all while focusing on your emotions during the difficult times and ultimately highlighting how God intervened and brought redemption in your life.
…a testimonial song is a type of song that demonstrates the ways in which God has prevailed in your personal life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your own story that may not resonate with others. To enhance your songwriting skills, it can be helpful to study and analyze songs that evoke specific emotions in their listeners instead of simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you are still emotionally wounded and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be difficult to authentically express it through a testimonial song. Sharing your pain through lyrics can sometimes be perceived as self-centered, unless you are specifically writing a country song where you pour your emotions out. If that's what you genuinely want to do, then go ahead and pursue it, but it's important to recognize that it's not a true testimony, rather it is more of a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to understand that they likely have their own struggles and problems to deal 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 are meant to provide an outlet for your personal issues and hurts. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you inviting them into? How will they feel after hearing your song?
In my opinion, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have successfully created a vibrant and uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that conveys a universal message rooted in Scripture. Instead of creating a song that solely focuses on your childhood experiences, it might be more effective to explore Scriptural themes that highlight the transformative and healing power of God, showcasing how He overcomes the negativity in our lives. There are numerous ways to share your personal testimony, so it would be beneficial to explore different approaches before pouring out your pain in a way that might overwhelm the listeners.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that illustrates how God has succeeded in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to have a release and cleanse of emotions. It may be beneficial for you to write such songs for yourself as well, but it is important to distinguish between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves unloading emotions, while testimonials highlight God's triumph over the difficult experiences you have faced and His ultimate victory in your soul, regardless of the path you take.
In our eight-week online coaching and mentoring program called NCS Pro Song Mastery, we explore the depths of testimony songs and much more. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and feel a strong calling to enrich your ministry, click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call without any obligations. This call will help determine if our program is suitable for you. Book your free call now.
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