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Expressing Thoughts from a Deep Inner World
A prevalent misconception regarding Christian songwriting is that by simply acquiring various tips, tricks, and shortcuts, one can avoid the arduous task of mastering the art of creating impactful songs that resonate with people.
In my opinion, relying solely on tips and tricks is not enough for a dedicated Christian songwriter. It is important to have a deep and meaningful connection with God, which serves as a source of inspiration. With a strong bond with God and excellent songwriting skills, there is no need to rely on shortcuts. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence is always accessible when you feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your heart.
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Our modern society's obsession with instant gratification and convenience has influenced our way of thinking, making us believe that we can achieve the same level of intelligence and creativity as CHATGPT or AI. We have the unrealistic expectation that we should be able to input a few prompts and instantly generate a viral song in less than three seconds that will impress everyone.
However, based on what I have observed, the songs that have a lasting impact on the world are not created by writers who rely on shortcuts. These writers are skilled practitioners of the art of Christian songwriting and communicate at a high level through their craft. They do not simply attempt to write a song one day and accidentally produce masterpieces like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Before the major opportunities arose, these individuals were already dedicated to studying and improving their artistic skills. They were consistently learning how to create impactful lyrics and melodies, forming captivating compositions that could deeply touch and resonate with listeners. These compositions possessed an indescribable "WOW" factor that was difficult to put into words, but could be recognized instantly when heard.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more I dedicate myself to practicing, the more fortunate outcomes I tend to experience.
These individuals are not seeking free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways. They are dedicated songwriters who are already actively engaged in their craft, continuously learning and honing their skills in poetry and song lyrics. These are the dedicated individuals who are investing their time and effort to create at a much higher level than most aspiring writers are willing to commit to their own craft.
We have great respect for individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys due to their incredible impact on Christian worship songwriting. It's hard to imagine where we would be without Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, we tend to overlook the fact that these writers have dedicated years to perfecting their skills and have faced numerous 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 Katy Nichole, a rising star in Centricity Music. Katy has been sharing her songs since she was only fourteen years old. Although her hit song "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like it gained sudden viral success, the reality is that Katy has been working hard at her craft for many years. Congratulations to Katy for her dedication and achievements!
Ways to Cultivate a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are numerous methods to nurture and enhance a fulfilling inner life. Here are three important factors to consider while striving to expand and convey your faith through your music.
Make soul care a priority. Our lives are often filled with busyness and chaos, leaving very little time for taking care of our souls. While it is important to care for and serve others, neglecting our own need for rest and rejuvenation will eventually lead to burnout. Taking care of ourselves is crucial for maintaining our inner life, which is interconnected with the care of our outer life and physical body.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of intellectual growth, assuming that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only necessary components of a holy life. However, the most skilled songwriters understand the value of deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to create extraordinary lyrics without first immersing themselves in profound words. If you have not pursued further reading since college or even high school, it is crucial for you to dive back into books. Simply indulging in fear-driven news or reinforcing cultural biases through network or cable channels does not suffice. If you aspire to write something impactful that transcends your own lifetime, it is essential to nourish your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other sources of inspiration.
Disconnect from negativity. Mainstream news channels focus on creating fear in order to attract viewers and increase their ratings. Even channels with a Christian perspective often rely on making you angry so that you continue watching and endure their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and conservative commentators also maintain their positions by generating high ratings and securing sponsorships. However, the constant stream of negativity they spew is detrimental to your spiritual well-being and creative abilities. I suggest abstaining from consuming any form of news for a few weeks and using that time to sit quietly and reflect on the love and goodness of God. You will likely find that your positivity begins to overflow into your music. Negativity steals your joy and intensifies feelings of fear and anxiety. Take a break and allow yourself to reconnect with the spirit of Jesus, filling your heart and mind with his teachings once again.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many more, create their music from a place of abundance in their connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed, at least partially, to their proficiency as Christian songwriters. I am particularly fond of the well-known quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, who said, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
While you are working on honing your Christian songwriting skills, it is crucial to also focus on nurturing your inner self. It is important to not only rely on the conventional phrases and ideas that have been repeated over the years, but to bring something fresh, daring, and freeing to the world.
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