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Expressing from an Abundant Inner World
There is a widespread misconception regarding Christian songwriting, suggesting that if you acquire a sufficient amount of advice, shortcuts, and strategies, you can somehow evade the laborious 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 essential to have a deep connection with God and a rich inner life, as well as strong songwriting abilities. By nurturing this connection, you won't need to rely on shortcuts or tricks because the clarity and confidence to write well will always be readily available when the Spirit moves within your heart.
The image was captured by Laura E. Part
The modern culture of instant gratification through technology has influenced us to expect quick results, making us believe that we can become as skilled as CHATGPT or AI. We believe that with just a few prompts, we should be able to effortlessly create a song in less than three seconds that will impress everyone.
However, from what I have observed, the songs that have a lasting impact on the world are not created by writers who take shortcuts. These writers are skilled practitioners of Christian songwriting who effectively communicate their message through their art. They did not simply attempt to write a song one day and accidentally create a masterpiece like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Even before the major opportunities came their way, these individuals were already dedicated to honing their skills and achieving greatness in their artistic pursuits. They consistently strived to educate themselves on the art of crafting impactful lyrics and melodies, creating captivating compositions that could deeply resonate with audiences, evoking strong emotions. This elusive and indescribable "WOW" factor was something they aimed to achieve, knowing that it can only be truly felt and recognized when experienced firsthand.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more I devote time to practice, the more fortunate I become in my game.
These individuals are not seeking out free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways as a means to advance their skills. They are dedicated songwriters who are already deeply engaged in their craft, actively studying and practicing advanced poetic and lyrical techniques. These women and men are committed to honing their skills and investing significant time and effort into their songwriting, surpassing the level of commitment that I often observe in aspiring writers.
We hold great respect for individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys for their incredible 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, we tend to overlook the fact that these songwriters have dedicated years to perfecting their skills and have faced numerous challenges in order to enhance their songs and ministries.
Nobody can match their talent for creating catchy song titles or hooks, but this skill is not achieved overnight. It takes time and effort for everyone, including the rising star of Centricity Music, Katy Nichole. She 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 sudden viral success, it is actually the result of years of hard work. Congratulations to Katy for her dedication and perseverance!
Discovering ways to cultivate and nourish a fulfilling inner life is crucial for Christian songwriters. To enhance and convey their faith through music, there are three important factors to consider.
Make soul care a priority. In our fast-paced and busy lives, we often neglect taking care of our souls. Although it is important to care for others, if we don't also take time to rest and rejuvenate ourselves, we will eventually become exhausted. Whatever self-care means to you, it is crucial for maintaining your inner well-being, which is interconnected with how you take care of your outer life and physical body.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of engaging their minds, assuming that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only essential aspects of a devoted life. However, the most skilled songwriters understand the significance of reading extensively. They recognize that it is impossible to create extraordinary lyrics without first immersing themselves in exceptional words. If you have stopped reading after completing college or even high school, re-engaging with books is indispensable for you. Simply consuming fear and allowing your cultural biases to be reinforced by watching network or cable news does not suffice. If you aspire to write something that can make a lasting impact, surpassing your own lifetime, it is crucial to nourish your mind with outstanding literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news channels are focused on increasing ratings by spreading fear. Even some "Christian" stations thrive on making you angry so that you continue watching and sitting through their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and conservative pundits also rely on high ratings and sponsorships to maintain their jobs. However, the constant stream of negativity they emit is detrimental to your soul and creativity. Consider taking a break from consuming any news for a few weeks and instead spend that time in quiet reflection, contemplating the love and goodness of God. You may find that your positivity begins to overflow into your creative endeavors. Negativity steals your joy and intensifies fear and anxiety. Give yourself a break and allow Jesus' Spirit to fill your heart and mind once again.
Christian artists and songwriters, including Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many more, create their music from a deep connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed to their talent and proficiency as Christian songwriters. Australian golfer Gary Player once expressed a profound sentiment when he stated, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
While you focus on honing your Christian songwriting skills, it is important to also nurture and cultivate a deep and meaningful personal life. It is essential to offer something fresh, daring, courageous, and freeing to the world through your music, rather than simply regurgitating clichéd phrases and ideas that have been heard for many years.
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