Personal Blog: Sharing My Story
Growing up in the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 70s, my childhood was far from conventional. While others may now label it as a "dysfunctional" upbringing, it was simply the reality we knew. Little did we know that our experiences would later be categorized and given a specific term. However, amidst the chaos, Jesus played a significant role in transforming my life.
My life underwent a profound change when someone assisted me in making a connection with the indescribable affection of Jesus for the very first time.
The image was taken by photographer Laura E. Part
In a single moment, my entire life was completely disrupted. This enduring love has been my source of strength for more than five decades, carrying me through both the highs and lows, the victories and sorrows, as well as the joys. I can confidently affirm that the course of my life was permanently altered when I experienced the love of God for the very first time at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my continued presence and motivation in my work as a Christian songwriter is to help others express the incredible reality of their faith through music. This purpose is at the heart of Nashville Christian Songwriters and drives all of our efforts, including podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, which aim to spread the love of Jesus to people everywhere.
What is your personal story of faith? Perhaps you experienced God's love while attending church as a child, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult when battling addiction. It could also be that you were deeply hurt by a significant loss. Many Christian songwriters who have faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce have approached us about our coaching programs. They seek to learn how to convey their anguish through music and express the ways in which God has provided strength and support in their journey. As James Finley puts it, God doesn't shield us from life's hardships, but rather miraculously sustains us through them.
However, what is the method for capturing our personal stories and experiences in exceptional songs?
Throughout our journey in life, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories of faith through music, it can be challenging to effectively capture the essence of our testimonies. To assist you in this process, I have three helpful tips that will guide you in creating Christian songs that resonate with listeners, providing them with solace, restoration, and inspiration.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common experiences that people can easily relate to. By connecting your story to these emotions, you can make your song more relatable and engaging for listeners. It is important for people to find elements of their own experiences within your lyrics, allowing them to connect with and appreciate your music on a deeper level.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and reminds us of something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. A former student of ours, Becky Norquist, faced the heartbreaking experience of going through five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around supporting grieving families, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can relate and continue to be engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I remember Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, once mentioning this particular advice, and it has stuck with me ever since. At first glance, it may seem contradictory, but it's not. The initial point is to identify a shared theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to refrain from including unnecessary details in your song that won't be helpful for your listeners. If you delve too much into specifics like locations, dates, names, or other particulars, there's a chance of losing the listener's interest.
When you identify the shared element and emotion in your story that I can connect with, you encourage me to become a part of your narrative. If the specifics of your story don't align with mine, it might deter me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible. You can learn to find the right amount of detail to focus on your emotions during the difficult experience and then shift the focus towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that depicts how God has achieved victory in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your own story that may not resonate with others. One way to overcome this is by studying the works of writers who have successfully conveyed emotions in their songs, and understanding how they engage listeners without solely focusing on specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you're still emotionally wounded and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to authentically compose a song that reflects your experience. Expressing your pain through lyrics can sometimes be perceived as self-centered, unless you're creating a typical country song that revolves around heartbreak and sorrow. If that's your intention, go ahead and pursue it, but understand that it won't be considered a genuine testimonial. Instead, it will be classified as a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to acknowledge that they likely have their own struggles and difficulties to deal with. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they might not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they provide a safe outlet for you to express your dysfunction and pain. 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 done an excellent job with their uplifting praise song "My Testimony" by conveying a broad message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song about your childhood experiences, you could explore positive biblical themes that highlight God's healing power in overcoming negative situations. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be beneficial to consider other avenues before delving into your personal pain in your music.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that highlights how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to have a release or catharsis. While it may be beneficial to write songs for your own catharsis, it is important to recognize the distinction between catharsis and testimonial songs. Testimonial songs celebrate God's triumph over the difficulties you have faced, emphasizing His ultimate victory in your soul regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which takes place over eight weeks online, we explore the power of testimony songs and delve into various other aspects of songwriting. 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 develop your ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call will help determine if our program is the right fit for you, and there is no obligation to commit. Don't miss the chance to schedule your free call here.
Please feel free to share this article with your friends. If you have any comments or thoughts, please leave a reply. Additionally, you can save your name, email, and website information in this browser for future comments.
In this code snippet, the function getElementById is being used to retrieve an element with the id "ak_js_1" from the document. The setAttribute method is then called on this element, with the attribute "value"
Categorized as
Stay connected with us
Explore more articles
Sections
Keywords
Trending articles:
Begin your journey
Highly recommended podcasts
Notable characteristics
Information about
The courses you take
Register now to receive our complimentary guide on the top 10 tips for professional songwriters.