Writing Music with CAIN
Trio shares how God’s Word inspires creativity
We are all created in the image of God and given the ability to create. Whether it’s through music, art, writing or other forms of expression, we have the power to communicate and inspire others with our creative work.
CAIN, a contemporary Christian music group, recently discussed their songwriting process in an interview with Family Life Radio. They explained that their songs are initially created with the intention of being successful and catchy, but they also aim to make them encouraging ministry tools. CAIN notes their music becomes personal and ministers to themselves as they create it.
“He’s calling you to walk out of the dark.” Taylor said, referring to the lyrics of their song “Rise Up,” which encourages listeners to seek God’s help in difficult times. The trio believe God gives them ideas and bits of inspiration for their music, and they strive to ensure that their songs are scripturally founded and able to point to Scripture. “The crazy thing is God uses our own music because while “Rise Up” was happening, we were stuck at home. We couldn’t go anywhere. We couldn’t play this song for you. I just had to sit there and sing it. There were a lot of times when you don’t feel like you’re in a dark place when you write [the song] and then all of a sudden, you’re like, Man, I need to minister to myself using the words that we came up with.
Madison agreed, “It’s extremely personal to you. God gives you bits, like ‘The Commission.’ That’s one of our songs. Taylor came in and was like, what about – Go tell the world about me. It just starts there, but how cool is it that as we were all in the synergy of us talking about the Great Commission. And the song has grown into something that we never intended to,” Madison interjected, highlighting how God can inspire and guide creative processes in unexpected ways.
As Christians, we too have a responsibility to use our creative abilities to inspire and minister to others. The Bible tells us that we are called to use our gifts and talents to serve others and bring glory to God. In 1 Peter 4:10-11, it says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen” (NIV).
When we create with the intention of serving and ministering to others, we are using our gifts and talents to bring glory to God. It’s important to remember that our creative work is not just about us and our own success, but about how it can impact others and bring them closer to God.
“One pillar about us and the music we make is it has to be scripturally founded,” Logan shared. “You have to be able to point this to Scripture. And so I believe the Holy Spirit has people in mind who are thinking about suicide. The Holy Spirit knows, and so we are just trying to tether it to Scripture and allow scripture to do the work.”
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Colossians 3:16 NIV). When we use Scripture in our creative work, we are allowing the message of Christ to dwell richly among us and inspire and minister to others.
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