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Expressing from a Deep Internal World
A widely believed misconception about Christian songwriting is that by simply acquiring a sufficient amount of advice, shortcuts, and strategies, one can avoid the effortful 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 important to have a deep spiritual connection with God and a strong ability to write songs. By possessing these qualities, one does not need to resort to shortcuts or hacks. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence is always accessible whenever the inspiration of the Holy Spirit stirs in one's heart.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Part
The modern culture of quick, instant gratification through digital platforms has deeply influenced our thinking. It makes us believe that we can achieve the same level of intelligence and creativity as advanced AI systems like CHATGPT. We mistakenly assume that by simply providing a few prompts, we should be able to effortlessly produce a mind-blowing song in less than three seconds, expecting it to 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. Instead, these songs are crafted by skilled Christian songwriters who communicate their messages at a sophisticated level through their art. They do not simply attempt to write a song on a whim and accidentally create a masterpiece like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Even before the more successful artists arrived, they were already dedicated to studying and improving their art. They were always learning about how to create impactful lyrics and melodies and structure them in a way that could deeply touch the emotions of listeners. Their goal was to create something that had an indescribable "WOW" factor, which could instantly captivate anyone who heard it.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more effort and dedication I put into practicing, the more fortunate I become in my endeavors.
These individuals are not searching for free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways as a means to further their skills. They are dedicated and ambitious songwriters who are already actively engaged in the process of learning and practicing advanced poetic and lyrical techniques. These are the individuals who are willing to invest their time and effort to reach a level of creativity that surpasses the commitment I often observe in aspiring writers.
We greatly appreciate individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys for their remarkable impact on Christian worship songwriting. It is difficult to imagine a world without the heartfelt rendition of "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone" by Chris Tomlin. However, we tend to overlook the fact that these songwriters have dedicated years to perfecting their skills and have faced various challenges in order to improve their songs and ministries.
No one becomes skilled at creating catchy song titles or hooks overnight, including the rising star Katy Nichole from Centricity Music. Katy 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 lucky viral success, it is actually the result of years of hard work and dedication. Congratulations to Katy for her persistence in pursuing her passion!
Ways to Cultivate a Fulfilling Inner World
As a Christian songwriter, there are various approaches to nourishing and enhancing your inner life. Here are three essential factors to consider when striving to foster personal growth and convey your faith through your music.
It is important to make soul care a priority. In today's fast-paced world, we often have jam-packed schedules that leave little time for taking care of our inner selves. While it is crucial to show care and support to others, neglecting our own need for rest and rejuvenation can lead to burnout. Whatever self-care looks like for you, it is essential for maintaining your inner well-being, which is interconnected with the care of your external life and physical body.
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 a holy life. However, the most talented songwriters understand the significance of deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to create exceptional lyrics if their minds are not enriched with knowledge and inspiration. If you have stopped reading extensively after college or high school, it is crucial for you to pick up books again. Merely feeding your fears and conforming to cultural biases by watching network or cable news is insufficient. If you aspire to write something impactful that will endure beyond your time, it is essential to nourish your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is solely focused on increasing viewership by spreading fear. Even the "Christian" channels aim to provoke anger in order to maintain viewership and support their advertisers. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and even conservative commentators rely on high ratings and sponsorships to secure their positions. However, their constant stream of negativity is detrimental to your well-being and creativity. Take a break from consuming any form of news for a few weeks and use that time to reflect on God's love and goodness. You may find that your positive outlook starts to overflow into your music. Negativity steals your happiness and amplifies fear and anxiety. Give yourself 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 create their music from a place of abundance in their connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed, at least partially, to their proficiency as Christian songwriters. I am particularly fond of the well-known quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, who stated, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
While you work on cultivating your skills in Christian songwriting, it is important to also focus on nurturing a deep and fulfilling personal life. It is 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 heard for years.
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