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Expressing the Depths of Your Inner World through Writing
There is a widespread misconception surrounding Christian songwriting that suggests if you acquire a sufficient amount of tips, tricks, and shortcuts, you can conveniently avoid the diligent 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 important to have a deep connection with God and a rich inner life to draw inspiration from. By possessing strong songwriting skills and a strong faith, there is no need to resort to shortcuts. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence is always accessible when one feels the guidance of the Holy Spirit in their heart.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Part
The fast-paced nature of our digital society has influenced us to adopt a mindset of instant gratification. It has led us to believe that we can achieve the same level of intelligence and creativity as CHATGPT or AI. We mistakenly assume that by simply inputting a few prompts, we can effortlessly generate a remarkable song in less than three seconds that will amaze everyone.
However, based on what I have personally observed, the songs that have a lasting impact on the world are not written by those who rely on shortcuts. Instead, they are created by skilled Christian songwriters who effectively communicate through their art. These writers don't simply attempt to write a song on a whim and accidentally produce something like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Even before the arrival of the prominent individuals, they were already dedicated to learning and becoming skilled in their art. They consistently worked on improving their ability to create meaningful and captivating compositions that could deeply touch the emotions and resonate with listeners. Their goal was to create something that had an indescribable, but undeniable, "WOW" factor that could be recognized and appreciated by all.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the act of practicing more leads to an increase in one's luck.
These individuals are not seeking out free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways with the intention of taking advantage of them. They are dedicated songwriters who are already actively engaged in their craft, continuously learning and honing their skills in order to achieve the highest standards in poetry and lyrics. These are the individuals who are committed to their craft, investing their time and effort to create at a much more advanced level compared to the majority of aspiring writers who are not willing to put in the same level of commitment.
We have great respect for individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys due to their remarkable impact on Christian worship songwriting. It is difficult to imagine where we would be without Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, we tend to overlook the fact that these songwriters have dedicated years to perfecting their skills and have faced numerous challenges in order to improve their songs and ministries.
No one becomes successful overnight, and this applies even to talented individuals like Katy Nichole, who is currently making waves in the music industry under Centricity Music. Katy has been sharing her songs since she was only fourteen years old, and her popular track "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may make it seem like she gained instant success, but that is not the case. Katy has been working hard at her craft for several years. (Congratulations, Katy!)
Ways to Cultivate a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are various methods to nurture and enhance your inner life. Here are three essential aspects to consider while aiming to expand and convey your faith through your music.
Make soul care a priority. In today's fast-paced world, we often find ourselves caught up in the busyness of life, leaving little time to take care of our inner selves. While it's important to continue caring for others, neglecting our own need for rest and rejuvenation can lead to burnout. It is crucial to recognize the significance of self-care in maintaining a healthy and balanced life, as our inner well-being is intertwined with the care of our external life and physical health.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to neglect their intellectual growth and believe that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only important aspects of living a sanctified life. However, the most talented songwriters understand the importance of deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to create extraordinary lyrics without first being enriched by them. If you have stopped reading extensively after college or even high school, it is crucial for you to pick up books again. Simply indulging in fear-driven news or reinforcing your cultural biases through network or cable news does not suffice. If you desire to write something impactful that can transcend your lifetime, it is essential to feed your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other works that inspire you.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news thrives on creating fear in order to boost their ratings. Even channels labeled as "Christian" aim to make you angry so that you continue watching and endure their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio, shock jocks, and conservative pundits maintain their positions by generating high ratings and attracting sponsors. However, the constant stream of negativity they emit is detrimental to your well-being and creativity. Consider abstaining from any form of news for a few weeks and utilize that time to reflect quietly on the love and goodness of God. You may find that your positive outlook begins to overflow into your creative endeavors. Negativity steals your happiness and amplifies fear and anxiety. Take a break and allow Jesus' Spirit to fill your heart and mind once more.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many others have the ability to write from a place of abundance in their connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed partially to their talent as Christian songwriters. I greatly appreciate the well-known quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, who emphasized the importance of practice in achieving success: "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
When you are working on your ministry in Christian songwriting, it is important to remember to consistently work on deepening your personal spiritual life while also developing your songwriting abilities. The world is in need of something fresh, courageous, and freeing from you, rather than just recycled phrases and concepts that have been heard for years.
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