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Expressing from a Deep Inner World
There is a widespread misconception surrounding Christian songwriting, which suggests that by acquiring a sufficient amount of advice, techniques, and shortcuts, one can avoid the arduous 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 Christian songwriters. It is important to have a deep spiritual connection with God and cultivate a rich inner life. By having this connection and honing your songwriting skills, you won't need to rely on shortcuts. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence will always be accessible to you, especially when you feel the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in your heart.
The photograph is credited to Laura E. Part
Our modern society's obsession with instant gratification has trained us to have unrealistic expectations, making us believe that we can emulate the abilities of advanced AI systems like CHATGPT. We mistakenly believe that we should be able to input a few prompts and instantly generate a song within a matter of seconds, which would impress everyone.
From my personal experience, I have noticed that 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 are able to effectively communicate profound messages through their art. They do not simply attempt to write a song on a whim and accidentally stumble upon masterpieces like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Before the arrival of the prominent individuals, these artists were already dedicated to studying and improving their skills in their respective field. They consistently worked towards honing their abilities to create impactful lyrics and melodies that could resonate with audiences on an emotional level. Their goal was to produce something that had an indescribable "WOW" factor, which could instantly captivate listeners and leave a lasting impression.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the harder I work on my skills and practice regularly, the more fortunate I become in my performance.
These individuals are not actively searching for complimentary Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways. They are dedicated and motivated songwriters who are already engaged in their craft, continuously learning and practicing advanced techniques and styles of poetry and lyrics. These aspiring writers are committed to investing their time and effort into creating music at a much higher level than what I commonly observe among amateur writers.
We hold a great appreciation for individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys for their incredible impact on Christian worship songwriting. It's difficult to imagine where we would be without the powerful influence of Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, we tend to overlook the fact that these songwriters have dedicated numerous years to perfecting their skills and have encountered various challenges in order to enhance their songs and ministries.
No one achieves the skill of creating a catchy song title or "hook" without putting in the time and effort. This applies even to rising star Katy Nichole from Centricity Music, who has been sharing her songs since she was only fourteen. Although her hit "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like she got lucky with a viral breakthrough, the truth is that she has been working hard at her craft for many years. Congratulations to Katy for her dedication and success!
Discovering ways to cultivate a fulfilling and meaningful inner life is essential for Christian songwriters. Here are three important factors to consider while aiming to nurture and convey your faith through your musical creations.
Make soul care a priority. In today's fast-paced world, our lives are filled with busyness and chaos, leaving little room for taking care of our souls. It is essential to not neglect our responsibilities and service towards others, but if we fail to address our own need for rest and rejuvenation, we will eventually exhaust ourselves. No matter how you define self-care, it is crucial for nurturing our inner selves and should be seen as inseparable from taking care of our external lives and physical well-being.
Nourish your intellect. Christian songwriters often overlook the importance of engaging their minds and mistakenly believe that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only vital aspects of a holy life. However, the most skilled songwriters understand the value of extensive reading. They recognize that without immersing themselves in remarkable words, it is impossible to create exceptional lyrics. If you have halted your reading habit after college or even high school, resuming it is essential. Merely consuming news from network or cable channels, which only reinforces your fears and cultural biases, does not suffice. If you aspire to write something impactful that stands the test of time, it is imperative to nourish your mind with remarkable literature, poetry, and other sources of inspiration.
Disconnect yourself from negativity. Cable news channels are solely focused on generating fear in order to boost their viewership. Even stations that claim to be Christian are motivated by anger-inducing content to keep you hooked and exposed to their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and conservative pundits maintain their careers by attracting high ratings and securing sponsorships for their investors. However, the constant stream of negativity they spread is detrimental to your spiritual and creative well-being. Consider taking a break from consuming any form of news for a few weeks and dedicate that time to quiet contemplation about the love and goodness of God. You may find that your positivity starts to overflow into your artistic expressions. Negativity steals your joy and intensifies 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, create their music from a place of abundance in their connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed to their expertise as Christian songwriters. I greatly appreciate the wise words of Australian golfer Gary Player, who once said, "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 nurturing your inner world. It is essential to strive for originality, courage, and freedom in your music, rather than merely recycling familiar phrases and concepts that have been around for a long time. The world is in need of something fresh and impactful from you.
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