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Expressing from an Abundant Internal World
A prevalent misconception surrounding Christian songwriting suggests that by simply acquiring a sufficient amount of advice, techniques, and shortcuts, one can evade the rigorous 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 dedicated Christian songwriter. It is essential to have a deep connection with God and a rich inner life to draw inspiration from. If you possess this connection and strong songwriting abilities, you don't need shortcuts. The clarity and confidence required for writing well will always be accessible whenever you feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your heart.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Part
The modern culture centered around fast and convenient digital services has influenced our thinking to expect instant results, making us believe that we can imitate advanced AI systems like CHATGPT. We have this notion that we should be able to input a few prompts and generate a song within seconds that will 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. These songwriters are skilled practitioners of Christian songwriting and are able to effectively communicate through their art. They do not simply attempt to write a song on a whim and accidentally create masterpieces like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Even before the arrival of influential figures, these individuals were already dedicated to honing their skills and achieving success in their chosen art form. They were always committed to learning and perfecting the techniques of creating impactful lyrics and melodies that could evoke strong emotions and resonate with listeners. Their aim was to create something truly remarkable and captivating that had an indescribable "WOW" factor, which is unmistakable once experienced firsthand.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more effort and dedication I put into practicing, the more fortunate outcomes I seem to encounter.
These individuals are not searching for free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways in a deceptive or disruptive manner. They are dedicated and determined songwriters who are actively engaged in their craft, continuously improving their skills and exploring advanced poetic and lyrical techniques. These individuals are committed to investing their time and effort in order to create at an exceptionally high standard, surpassing the level of commitment that I observe in most aspiring writers.
We greatly appreciate individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys for their incredible impact on Christian worship songwriting. It's hard 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 significant time and effort to perfecting their skills 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, including the up-and-coming artist Katy Nichole from Centricity Music. She 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 break, it is actually the result of years of hard work. Congratulations to Katy for her dedication and success!
Tips for Cultivating a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are numerous avenues to nourish and enhance your inner life. Here are three essential factors to consider while aiming to expand and articulate your faith through your musical creations.
Make soul care a priority. In our fast-paced and busy lives, we often neglect taking care of our inner selves. Although it is important to care for and help others, if we neglect our own need for rest and rejuvenation, we will eventually become burnt out. It is crucial to recognize that taking care of ourselves is essential for maintaining a healthy inner life, which is interconnected with the well-being of our outer life and physical body.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of intellectual growth and wrongly believe that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only crucial aspects of a holy and fulfilled life. However, the most talented songwriters understand the significance of deep reading. They acknowledge that it is impossible to produce remarkable lyrics without first immersing themselves in a wealth of knowledge. Merely relying on news from television networks or cable channels to fuel your fears and reinforce cultural biases does not suffice. If you aspire to write something impactful that can transcend your own lifetime, it is essential to feed your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other works that inspire.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is solely focused on generating fear to boost their ratings. Even stations that claim to be "Christian" rely on making you angry so that you'll continue watching and sit through their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio, shock jocks, and conservative pundits also maintain their positions by attracting viewers and securing sponsorships for their shareholders. However, the constant stream of negativity they emit is detrimental to your well-being and creativity. Consider abstaining from consuming any form of news for a few weeks and dedicate that time to sit quietly and contemplate the love and goodness of God. You may notice that your positivity begins to overflow into your artistic expressions. Negativity steals your joy and intensifies fear and anxiety. 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 more, draw inspiration from their deep connection with God when creating their music. However, their achievements can also be attributed, at least partially, to their proficiency as Christian songwriters. A famous quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, which states, "The more I practice, the luckier I get," reflects the importance of honing one's skills in order to achieve success.
While you are working on honing your Christian songwriting skills, it is important to also focus on nurturing a deep and fulfilling inner life. It is crucial to bring something fresh, daring, courageous, and freeing to the world through your music, rather than simply regurgitating clichéd phrases and concepts that have been heard for many years.
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