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Expressing the Depths of Your Inner World
There is a prevalent misconception surrounding Christian songwriting that suggests that by simply acquiring a sufficient amount of tips, tricks, and shortcuts, one can effortlessly evade the arduous process of acquiring the skills to create 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 and meaningful connection with God as well as strong songwriting abilities. With these, you won't need any shortcuts or hacks because the ability to write well with clarity and confidence will always be readily available to you, especially when you feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your heart.
The photograph is credited to Laura E. Part
The fast-paced nature of our digital society has influenced our thinking to expect quick and effortless results, making us believe that we can be as skilled as CHATGPT or AI. We have this notion that we should be able to input a few prompts and instantly generate a song that will astonish everyone in less than three seconds.
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 quick fixes. Instead, they are crafted by skilled Christian songwriters who are able to effectively communicate their message through their art. These songwriters do not simply attempt to write a song one day and accidentally create a masterpiece like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Before the big ones arrived, they were already dedicated to studying and improving their artistic abilities. They were always learning how to skillfully combine impactful words and melodies to create captivating compositions that could deeply resonate with listeners. Their goal was to create something that had an indescribable but undeniable "WOW" factor, an emotional power that could be felt when heard.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more effort I put into practicing, the more fortunate I become.
These individuals are not searching for free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways. They are dedicated songwriters who are already actively engaged in their craft, constantly improving their skills and exploring advanced poetic and lyrical techniques. These committed individuals are investing their time and effort to reach a level of creativity that surpasses the commitment I observe in most aspiring writers.
We greatly appreciate the talents of individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys, who have made significant contributions to Christian worship songwriting. It is difficult to imagine where we would be without Chris Tomlin's impactful song "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, it is important to remember that these songwriters have dedicated years to perfecting their craft 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 Centricity Music's rising star, Katy Nichole. She has been sharing her songs since the age of fourteen, and her popular track "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like a fortunate viral success, but that is not the case. Katy has been dedicated to her craft for many years. (Congratulations, Katy!)
Tips for Cultivating a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a songwriter who follows the Christian faith, there are various approaches you can take to nurture and enhance your inner life. Here are three essential considerations to bear in mind while striving to expand your faith and convey it through your music.
Make soul care a priority. In our fast-paced and busy lives, it can be challenging to find time to take care of our souls. Although it is important to care for and serve others, we risk burning out if we neglect our own need for rest and rejuvenation. It is crucial to consider self-care as essential for nurturing our inner selves, as it is interconnected with the care we provide for our outer lives and physical well-being.
Nurture your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of intellectual growth, believing that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only essential elements for a spiritually fulfilled life. However, the most talented songwriters understand the necessity of immersing themselves in deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to craft extraordinary lyrics without first being enriched by words themselves. If you have not engaged in reading since college, or perhaps even high school, it is essential for you to pick up a book again. Merely consuming news from network or cable channels that feed your fears and reinforce your cultural biases does not suffice. If you aspire to write something that can make a lasting impact and surpass your own lifetime, it is imperative to feed your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other sources of inspiration.
Disconnect from negative influences. Cable news is focused on increasing ratings through fear tactics. Even channels with a Christian focus thrive on angering you in order to keep you engaged and watching their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and conservative pundits all maintain their jobs by attracting viewership and sponsorships. However, the constant stream of negativity they spread is detrimental to your spiritual well-being and creativity. Consider taking a break from consuming any kind of news for a few weeks and instead spend that time in quiet reflection on the love and goodness of God. You may find that your positive outlook begins to overflow into your creative endeavors. Negativity steals your joy and amplifies fear and anxiety. Take a pause and replenish your heart and mind with the spirit of Jesus.
Christian musicians and lyricists such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many others create their music and songs from an abundance of their connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed, at least partially, to their expertise as Christian songwriters. I greatly appreciate the quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, who famously stated, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
While you are working on improving your skills in Christian songwriting, it is important to also focus on cultivating a deep and meaningful inner life. It is crucial to offer something fresh, courageous, and liberating to the world through your songs, rather than simply recycling clichéd phrases and ideas that have been heard for many years.
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