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Expressing the Depths of Your Inner World
A prevalent misconception surrounding Christian songwriting is the belief that by simply acquiring sufficient tips, tricks, and shortcuts, one can evade 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 a Christian songwriter. It is important to have a deep connection with God and a rich inner life, as this will provide inspiration and guidance. With a strong foundation in songwriting skills and a genuine connection with God, there is no need to resort to shortcuts. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence will always be readily available whenever the Spirit moves in your heart.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Part
The fast-paced digital culture that surrounds us has shaped our thinking to expect instant results, similar to the speed at which a microwave operates. This influences us to believe that we have the ability to be as quick and efficient as CHATGPT or AI. We assume that we should be able to simply input a few prompts and generate a highly impressive song within a matter of seconds, which will astonish 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 gimmicks. These writers are true practitioners of the art of Christian songwriting, effectively communicating deep messages through their craft. They did not simply attempt to write a song one day and accidentally create masterpieces like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Even before the major opportunities arose, they were dedicated to honing their skills and becoming masters of their craft. They were always learning and perfecting the art of creating impactful lyrics and melodies that could deeply resonate with audiences. They strived to create music that evoked strong emotions and had that indescribable "WOW" factor that instantly captivates listeners.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more time he spends practicing, the more fortunate he becomes.
These individuals are not searching for free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways. They are dedicated and committed songwriters who are already actively engaged in their craft, constantly improving their skills and exploring advanced poetic and lyrical techniques. These are the individuals who are investing their time and effort to create at a much higher standard compared to most aspiring writers who are not willing to put in the same level of dedication.
Many of us look up to 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 Chris Tomlin's powerful rendition of "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, it is easy to overlook the fact that these talented songwriters have dedicated years to perfecting their skills and have faced numerous challenges in order to refine their songs and ministries.
No one can match their talent for creating impactful song titles, or "hooks," but it takes time to develop that skill. This is true for everyone, including up-and-coming artist Katy Nichole from Centricity Music, who has been sharing her songs since she was only fourteen years old. While her hit song "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like it gained sudden viral success, it is actually the result of years of hard work and dedication. Congratulations to Katy for her perseverance!
Ways to Cultivate a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are numerous approaches to nourishing and enriching your inner life. Here are three essential factors to consider while striving to strengthen and convey your faith through your music.
Make soul care a priority. In today's fast-paced world, our lives are filled with constant busyness and chaos, leaving very little time for self-care. While it is important to show care and support to others, neglecting our own need for rest and rejuvenation can lead to burnout. Taking care of ourselves is crucial in maintaining a healthy inner life, which is closely connected to the well-being of our outer life and physical body.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of intellect and believe that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only crucial aspects of a holy life. However, the most talented songwriters understand the value of extensive reading. They recognize that it is impossible to create remarkable lyrics without first immersing themselves in words. If you have not engaged in reading since college, or even high school, it is essential for you to pick up books again. Merely consuming fear-driven news from network or cable channels does not count as intellectual nourishment. If you aspire to write something impactful that may even outlast you, it is imperative to feed your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect from negative influences. Cable news primarily focuses on sensationalizing and instilling fear in order to boost their ratings. Even channels that claim to cater to Christian audiences often rely on provoking anger to keep viewers engaged and watch their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio, shock jocks, and conservative pundits maintain their positions by attracting high ratings and securing sponsorships for their stakeholders. However, the constant stream of negativity they propagate is detrimental to your well-being and creativity. Consider abstaining from consuming any form of news for a few weeks and utilize that time to reflect quietly on God's love and goodness. You may find that this practice allows your positivity to flourish and permeate through your music. Negativity steals away your happiness and intensifies feelings of fear and anxiety. Take a break and refuel your heart and mind with the Spirit of Jesus.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many others are able to write from a place of abundance in their relationship with God. However, their success can also be attributed to their abilities as skilled Christian songwriters. A famous quote by Australian golfer Gary Player resonates with this idea, as he once said, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
While you work on improving your skills in Christian songwriting, it's important to also focus on nurturing your inner life. It's not enough to simply develop your songwriting abilities; the world is in need of something fresh, daring, courageous, and freeing from you. We must move beyond repeating the same old phrases and ideas that have been heard for years.
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