When The Coffee Runs Out

It’s a season of writing for me…these last few months songs have been pouring out of me and I’ve been filling up that coffee mug again and again to do the hard work of finishing these anthems for my personal worship and hopefully to encourage the Church one day.

In this process I’ve learned quite a few things:

->> You’ve gotta start somewhere…so just start.

This is a funny one coming from me (a One on the enneagram) because I often will feel paralyzed by options/potentials in creativity because of my desire to be perfect at everything I do…but believe me after I jumped over the hurtle of starting it’s been a beautiful journey.

->> Bring community into the process of writing.

The best songs I’ve written have been with other people. I really believe in building solid community and investing in people intentionally. It’s hard work to find quality people sometimes, but I really think intentional affirmations and authenticity goes a long way—and when you find the quality creative humans stay near them and they’ll partner with you as well as rub off on you making you and your creative endeavors better. <3

->> Edit what you write / get the theology right

If the church is going to be singing a song I write I want the words to be based and grounded in scripture as well as make since in the lyric/melody. There are enough emotional songs that the worlds writing about lost hope and world views. We need more songs of the Hope we have in Christ that encourage endurance as we endure in this life as well as champion & worship the name of Jesus!

->> Be relevant & vulnerable

I’ve been reading a book on discipleship and one thing the author keeps coming back to is to bring people along in life. Bring people along side you during every season of life…now I’m not saying “bring the whole world thru social media” I mean in your intimate community of church/friends/family be someone who is open to teach, learn and grow in front of people to show Jesus and how magnificent He is in rebuilding you. So be ever growing in who you are as a disciple, by teaching as you live your life daily.

->> Read & learn

This year I’ve poured more time into reading and understanding the Bible through my own study and an awesome local ministry (Emmaus Bible Ministries). This season has been interesting for us all but I don’t want to look at and see waisted time in this life. Even growing in my faith and growing my knowledge/understanding of the Bible is a good deep investment.

Hope these learnings encourage you,

-jdw