Much of this weekend has found me with a red pen in my hand and my nose in the middle of a three ring binder which holds the galley for the legacy study. This is the final phase of publishing the study and it is tedious. Oh mercy, is it tedious, but so very necessary.
Allow me to elaborate. The galley is the final version of the manuscript that has been designed and typeset by the publisher. It shows how the words will appear on the page, complete with illustrations, page numbers and pictures. The galley in journalism is comparable to the dress rehearsal of a Broadway show; there is time to tweak a few things, but for the most part, it is ready to print.
As I have gone line by line through the study, marking corrections that need to be made, I have been a bit surprised at how many things I am finding that need changed. To be honest, when I submitted the final manuscript after it was edited, I thought that it would be nearly perfect. Wrong!!!
This proofing of the galley of the legacy study has reminded me that the Holy Spirit, my spiritual proof-reader, looks at my life as if it is a galley. The day I accepted Jesus into my heart to be the King and Ruler of my life was, in reality, only the very rough first-draft of what my heart and life will ultimately become. There is much editing to be done during the remainder of my life.
First Corinthians 2: 10 (NLT) says, ‘But we know these things because God has revealed them to us by his Spirit and his Spirit searches out everything and shows us even God’s deep secrets.’
Each and every day the Holy Spirit goes through my heart and life and searches out the things that need to be changed and tweaked. He takes His red pen of conviction and marks up my life so that it is glaringly obvious that there is work still to be done. It is then up to me to make the changes that will cause me to look more like Jesus.
If we want the manuscript of our life to reflect the ultimate Author, we must submit to the proof-reading and editing work of the Holy Spirit. Are you willing?
