Blog Post: Expressing Thoughts and Emotions through Writing
There is a prevailing misconception regarding Christian songwriting that suggests acquiring numerous tips, tricks, and shortcuts can enable individuals to avoid the arduous process of mastering the art of creating impactful songs that resonate with people.
In my opinion, having a deep connection with God and being a devoted Christian songwriter is more valuable than relying on tips and tricks. When you possess a strong bond with God and excellent songwriting abilities, there is no need to search for shortcuts. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence is always present within you, readily accessible whenever you feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit within your heart.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Part
The prevalent fast-paced nature of our digital culture has influenced us to adopt a mindset that resembles the speed and convenience of a microwave. It has led us to believe that we can possess the capabilities of artificial intelligence systems like CHATGPT. We tend to expect that by simply providing a few prompts, we should be able to effortlessly generate a song within a matter of seconds, which will instantly captivate and impress everyone.
However, in my personal observation, the songs that have a lasting impact on the world are not created by those who rely on shortcuts or quick fixes. Instead, these songs are crafted by skilled Christian songwriters who communicate profound messages through their art. They do not simply attempt to write a song on a whim and accidentally produce masterpieces like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Before the arrival of the more experienced individuals, they were already dedicated to studying and striving for excellence in their artistic pursuits. They were continuously learning how to skillfully combine impactful words and melodies to create captivating compositions that could deeply resonate with audiences, evoking strong emotions. They aimed to create something extraordinary, a certain indescribable element that instantly grabs the listeners' attention and leaves a lasting impression.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more I put effort into practicing, the more fortunate I become.
These individuals are not actively seeking free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways. They are dedicated songwriters who are already committed to their craft, constantly learning and honing their skills in order to excel in their poetic and lyrical approaches. These individuals are investing their time and effort to create at a much more advanced level than many aspiring writers are willing to commit to.
Many of us look up to talented Christian worship songwriters such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys for their incredible contributions. It's hard to imagine a world without Chris Tomlin's impactful song "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, it's important to remember that these writers have dedicated years of their lives to perfecting their craft. They have faced difficulties and challenges along the way in order to refine their songs and ministries.
No one becomes skilled at creating catchy song titles or hooks overnight, and this applies to even emerging artists like Katy Nichole from 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 a lucky viral success, it is actually the result of years of hard work and dedication. Congratulations, Katy, for your achievements in the music industry!
Discovering ways to cultivate a fulfilling and meaningful inner life is crucial for Christian songwriters. To enhance and effectively convey your faith through music, it is important to consider the following three points.
Make soul care a priority. In our fast-paced and demanding lives, we often overlook the importance of taking care of our souls. Although it is crucial to be caring and helpful towards others, neglecting our own need for rest and rejuvenation can lead to burnout. Taking care of ourselves should be seen as essential for nurturing our inner selves, which cannot be disconnected from the care we provide to our outer lives and physical bodies.
Nourish your mind. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of engaging their intellects. They often believe that solely focusing on Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs is sufficient for a spiritual life. However, the most talented songwriters understand the significance of delving into deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to create extraordinary lyrics if they themselves have not been enriched by profound words first. If you stopped reading extensively after completing college or even high school, it is crucial for you to pick up books again. Merely fueling your mind with fear and being influenced by cultural biases through watching network or cable news does not contribute to your growth. If you aspire to write something impactful that can surpass your own lifetime, it is essential to nourish your intellect with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspirational works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news only cares about ratings and uses fear to keep viewers engaged. Even channels that claim to be Christian use anger to keep people watching and sit through their advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and conservative pundits all rely on high ratings and sponsorships to maintain their jobs. However, the constant negativity they spew is detrimental to your emotional wellbeing and creative abilities. Consider taking a break from all news for a few weeks and instead spend that time in quiet reflection on God's love and goodness. You may find that your positivity starts to overflow into your music. Negativity steals your joy and increases fear and anxiety. Take a pause and allow Jesus' Spirit to fill your heart and mind once again.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many more, draw inspiration from their deep connection with God when writing their music. However, their achievements can also be attributed, at least partially, to their expertise as Christian songwriters. It reminds me of the well-known quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, who said, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
While you are honing your skills as a Christian songwriter, it is essential to also focus on nurturing a deep and fulfilling personal spiritual life. It is important to offer something fresh, courageous, and liberating through your music, rather than simply repeating the same old phrases and ideas that have been used for many years.
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