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Tapping into Your Inner World for Writing
A popular misconception about Christian songwriting is that by simply acquiring a sufficient amount of tips, tricks, and shortcuts, one can avoid the arduous process of acquiring the skills needed to create impactful songs that resonate with people.
In my opinion, relying on tips and tricks alone is not enough for a dedicated 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 songwriting abilities, there is no need to resort to shortcuts. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence is always available when you feel the movement of the Holy Spirit in your heart.
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The modern fast-paced culture driven by technology has shaped our thinking to expect instant results, similar to the speed at which CHATGPT or AI can produce outputs. We have come to believe that we should be capable of inputting a few cues and generating a song within a matter of seconds, which would 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 or quick fixes. These successful songwriters are skilled practitioners of Christian songwriting, effectively communicating profound messages through their art. They did not simply attempt to write a song one day and accidentally create masterpieces like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Before the arrival of the big ones, they were already dedicated to studying and improving their skills in their chosen art form. They were constantly learning how to create impactful lyrics and melodies and shape them into captivating compositions that could deeply touch the emotions of listeners. These compositions had a certain indescribable quality that made them irresistibly impressive and memorable.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more effort and dedication I put into practicing, the more fortunate I become in my game.
These individuals are not searching for opportunities to attend Christian songwriting workshops or receive freebies. They are dedicated and determined songwriters who are already actively working on their craft. They are continuously learning and practicing advanced techniques and poetic styles in their songwriting. These individuals are committed to their art and are investing a considerable amount of time and effort to create music at a level that surpasses most aspiring writers.
We have great admiration for individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys due to their incredible impact on Christian worship songwriting. It is hard to imagine where we would be without Chris Tomlin's powerful rendition of "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, we tend to overlook the fact that these songwriters have dedicated years of effort to perfecting their skills and have faced numerous challenges in refining their songs and ministries.
No one becomes skilled at creating catchy song titles or hooks overnight, and this applies to even the rising star in Centricity Music, Katy Nichole. She has been sharing her songs since she was just fourteen years old. Although her hit "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like a stroke of luck, it is actually the result of years of hard work and dedication. Congratulations to Katy for her success!
Tips for Cultivating a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are various approaches you can take to nurture a profound and gratifying inner life. Here are three essential factors to consider while striving to expand your faith and convey it through your music.
Make soul care a priority. In today's fast-paced world, we often find ourselves caught up in busy and overwhelming schedules that leave little room for taking care of our own souls. It is important to remember that while we should always prioritize caring for and serving others, neglecting our own need for rest and rejuvenation will eventually lead to burnout. Taking care of ourselves should be considered essential for maintaining our inner well-being, as it is interconnected with the care we give to our outer lives and physical bodies.
Nourish your intellect. Songwriters who follow the Christian faith often overlook the importance of engaging their minds and mistakenly believe that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only crucial aspects of living a sanctified life. However, the most skilled songwriters understand the significance of immersing themselves in deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to craft incredible lyrics without first being filled with the beauty of words. Merely consuming fear-inducing news from network or cable sources does not fulfill this need. If you aspire to write something impactful that will endure beyond your lifetime, it is essential to feed your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is solely focused on increasing ratings by spreading fear. Even the so-called "Christian" stations thrive on provoking anger in order to keep viewers engaged and sit through their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio, shock jocks, and conservative pundits also rely on high ratings and sponsorships to maintain their jobs. However, the constant stream of negativity they emit is harmful to your soul and stifles your creativity. I challenge you to refrain from consuming any type of news for a few weeks and instead spend that time in quiet contemplation, reflecting on the love and goodness of God. You will be amazed at how this shift in focus will allow positivity to overflow into your music. Negativity steals your joy and fuels fear and anxiety. Therefore, take a break and allow Jesus' Spirit to fill your heart and mind once again.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many others are able to create their music because of their deep connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed to their talent in songwriting. This reminds me of a famous quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, who once said, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
When you are working on growing your skills in Christian songwriting, it is important to also focus on nurturing your inner life. It is necessary to bring something new, courageous, and freeing to the world through your songs, rather than simply repeating the same phrases and ideas that have been heard for many years.
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