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Expressing Your Inner World through Writing
There is a popular misconception surrounding Christian songwriting that suggests that if you acquire sufficient advice, techniques, and shortcuts, you can avoid the diligent process of acquiring the skills necessary to create impactful songs that resonate with people.
In my opinion, relying solely on tips and tricks is not enough for a committed Christian songwriter. It is important to have a deep and meaningful connection with God, which serves as a source of inspiration. With a strong foundation in faith and solid songwriting skills, there is no need to resort to shortcuts. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence is always accessible, especially when one feels the guidance of the Holy Spirit within their heart.
The photo credit for this image goes to Laura
The modern era of fast and convenient technology has shaped our thinking in a way that makes us believe we can replicate the abilities of advanced AI systems like CHATGPT. We have developed a mindset that leads us to expect instant results, such as generating an impressive song within a matter of seconds, and anticipating that it will amaze everyone.
However, in my personal observation, the songs that have a lasting impact on the world are not created by writers who rely on shortcuts or gimmicks. Instead, these songs are crafted by skilled Christian songwriters who excel in their art. They don't simply attempt to write a song on a whim and accidentally produce a timeless piece like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Even before the arrival of the prominent figures, they were already dedicated to their craft and striving for excellence. They consistently pursued self-improvement in the creation of impactful lyrics and melodies, constructing compositions that could deeply resonate with listeners and evoke strong emotions. They aimed to create something indescribably captivating, a "WOW" factor that can only be truly understood when experienced.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more effort and dedication I put into practicing, the more fortunate and successful I become.
These individuals are not searching for opportunities to attend free Christian songwriting workshops or receive giveaways. They are dedicated songwriters who are already actively engaged in their craft, constantly improving their skills and knowledge of advanced poetic and lyrical techniques. These men and women are committed to their work, investing their time and effort to create at a much higher level than most aspiring writers are willing to commit to their own craft.
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 difficult 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 to perfecting their skills and have faced numerous challenges in order to improve their songs and ministries.
No one becomes talented at creating catchy song titles or hooks overnight, and this applies to everyone, including rising star Katy Nichole from Centricity Music. Katy has been sharing her songs online since she was just fourteen years old. While her hit song "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like it gained viral popularity by chance, that's not the case. Katy has been working hard on her music for years. 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 approaches to nurturing and enhancing your inner life. Here are three essential factors to consider in your journey towards personal growth and expressing your faith through music.
Make soul care a top priority. In today's fast-paced world, we all have jam-packed schedules that leave very little room for taking care of our souls. Although it is important to show care and help others, if we neglect our own need for rest and rejuvenation, we will eventually become exhausted. Whatever self-care looks like for you, it is crucial for nourishing your inner well-being, which is inseparable from the care of your external life and physical health.
Nourish your intellect. 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 sanctified life. However, the most exceptional songwriters understand the significance of immersing themselves in deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to create extraordinary lyrics without being filled with profound knowledge and understanding. Merely relying on news from television networks or cable news channels to fuel your thoughts and biases is insufficient. If you aspire to write something impactful that transcends your own 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 generating fear to boost their viewership. Even channels with Christian content thrive on provoking anger in order to keep you engaged and exposed to their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio, shock jocks, and even conservative pundits rely on high ratings and sponsorships to maintain their jobs. However, their constant stream of negativity is detrimental to your soul and stifles your creativity. Consider taking a break from consuming any kind of news for a few weeks and spend that time in quiet reflection, contemplating the love and goodness of God. You may find that this leads to a newfound sense of positivity that permeates your music. Negativity steals your joy and intensifies fear and anxiety. Take a pause and allow your heart and mind to be filled with the spirit of Jesus once more.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many others create their music from a place of abundance in their connection with God. However, their achievements can be attributed, at least to some extent, to their expertise in the field of Christian songwriting. I am reminded of the wise words of Australian golfer Gary Player, who once stated, "The more I dedicate myself to practice, the more fortunate I become."
While you're working on improving your Christian songwriting, it's important to also focus on nurturing your personal spiritual growth. It's crucial to offer something fresh, daring, courageous, and freeing to the world through your music, rather than simply regurgitating the same old phrases and ideas that have been around for years.
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