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Expressing the Depths of Your Inner World
There is a widespread misconception regarding Christian songwriting, suggesting that by simply acquiring sufficient advice, shortcuts, and techniques, one can evade the demanding process 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 Christian songwriter. It is essential to have a deep connection with God and a rich inner life to draw inspiration from. With a strong foundation in faith and good songwriting abilities, there is no need to search for shortcuts or quick fixes. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence will always be accessible whenever one feels the guidance of the Holy Spirit in their heart.
A photograph taken by Laura E. Partain
The fast-paced nature of our digital society has influenced our thinking to crave instant results, making us believe that we can emulate the abilities of CHATGPT or AI. We expect to effortlessly generate a song within a few seconds by simply providing a few prompts, and for it to become an instant sensation that mesmerizes 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 or copy others. Instead, these songs are crafted by skilled Christian songwriters who are able to effectively communicate profound messages through their art. They do not simply attempt to write a song one day and accidentally create something as powerful as "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Prior to the arrival of the prominent figures, these individuals were already deeply immersed in their artistic pursuits, striving to achieve greatness. Continuously, they dedicated themselves to learning and perfecting the skill of creating impactful lyrics and harmonies, constructing captivating compositions that could truly resonate with listeners on an emotional level. Their aim was to create something indescribably powerful, possessing an undeniable "WOW" factor that can only be experienced firsthand.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more I dedicate myself to practicing, the more fortunate I become in my endeavors.
These individuals are not actively seeking out free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways. They are dedicated and passionate songwriters who are already committed to their craft. They are constantly improving their skills and knowledge in poetic and lyrical techniques. These individuals are dedicated and hardworking, investing their time and effort into creating music at a much higher standard than most aspiring writers are willing to do.
We have great respect and appreciation for individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys, who have made significant contributions to Christian worship songwriting. It is hard to imagine where we would be without the impact of Chris Tomlin's "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 various challenges and obstacles 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. She has been sharing her songs since she was fourteen years old, and her hit track "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like a sudden viral success, but in reality, she has been working hard at her craft for many years. Congratulations, Katy, on your well-deserved success!
Tips for Cultivating a Fulfilling Inner World as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are various approaches to nourishing and enhancing your inner life. Consider the following three points as you strive to expand your faith and convey it through your music.
It is important to make soul care a priority. Nowadays, we are all caught up in busy and chaotic lives, leaving very little time for ourselves. Although it is crucial to take care of others and be of service to them, neglecting our own need for rest and rejuvenation will eventually lead to burnout. Taking care of oneself should be seen as essential for maintaining a healthy inner life, which is closely connected to the well-being of our outer life and physical body.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of intellectual growth and assume that focusing solely on Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs is sufficient for a sanctified life. However, the most successful songwriters understand the significance of deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to craft remarkable lyrics without first immersing themselves in a wealth of knowledge. If you halted your reading habits after college, or even high school, it is essential for you to pick up books again. Simply indulging in fear and succumbing to cultural biases through watching network or cable news is not enough. If you aspire to write anything that can truly make an impact and have a lasting influence, it is vital to enrich your mind with great literature, poetry, and other inspirational works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is solely focused on generating fear and maintaining high viewership. Even the religious channels aim to provoke anger in order to keep you engaged and exposed to their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, controversial broadcasters, and even conservative commentators rely on increasing ratings and attracting sponsors to maintain their positions. However, the constant stream of negativity they propagate is detrimental to your spiritual well-being and creative abilities. Consider abstaining from consuming any form of news for a few weeks and instead dedicate that time to quiet reflection on the love and goodness of God. You will be amazed to see how this shift in focus brings about a surge of positivity in your music. Negativity steals away your happiness and amplifies fear and anxiety. Take a break and allow yourself to be reinvigorated by the spirit of Jesus, filling your heart and mind with his teachings once again.
Christian artists and songwriters, such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, and Maher, are able to create heartfelt and powerful music because they draw from their deep connection with God. However, their success can also be attributed, at least in some measure, to their exceptional skills as Christian songwriters. This reminds me of the famous quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, who once said, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
While you are working on your Christian songwriting ministry, it is important to remember to constantly nurture your own spiritual growth alongside your songwriting abilities. The world is in need of fresh, daring, courageous, and freeing expressions from you, rather than simply recycled phrases and concepts that have been heard for many years.
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