Yet, O Lord, you are our Father;
    we are the clay, and you are our potter;
    we are all the work of your hand. – Isaiah 6:8

A few days ago I wrote a post about the progress I am making in my latest book. I had completed the manuscript, the layout, the chapters and subheadings, along with a couple of major edits. The project was ready for the “galley proof” and – great excitement – I have one in hand (Exciting News About My New book).

Rather than meaning that the memoir is now ready for the bookstore, this means I can double down on the editing. Producing a copy in analog format allows me to identify so much more in the way of typos, mistakes, inconsistencies, repetitions, issues with tense, layout problems, typeface etc. – stuff I hadn’t even noticed the first dozen or so times through.

There is, “This looks great!” – and it does. And then there is, “Look at all the stuff that needs to be fixed!” – and how!

Yes, the proof looks good, and – at first glance – ready for the store. But after a week of intense editing I am just halfway through and have found anywhere between one and ten mistakes/issues on each page. And I know I have still missed some too.

Not just errors but inadequacies:

Not just fixed but improved. I have added words, textures of meaning, sentences, explanations, anecdotes, whole stories – and taken out just as much.

Editing is a bit like the difference between tidy: “Check out our beautiful house,” and the more intense: “We’re having people over for a party.” Or, “Your kitchen should be in a magazine!” vs “This kitchen is actually going to be in a magazine….”

Editing is the most hardworking element of excellence and usually it’s the least understood part of the work.

At the same time the process is curiously satisfying. Like detailing a car. Or making that kitchen shine. Or the difference between listening to a beautiful song played by a couple of excellent guitarists… or adding in Yo-Yo Ma on the cello. It’s the same song but now there is something of depth and richness and it just feels right.

Personal editing:

Part of my journey as a day-to-day disciple and a follower of Jesus, is all about editing in real time. Not as in legalistically or judgmentally circling my shortcomings in red ink, but adding depth and nuance and richness to the expression of “what Derek looks like” – as a husband, a father, a friend, a teacher, a writer, a neighbor, a citizen….

Lord knows I could use some finessing and some added depth and some more humility and some extra grace and some improvement in terms of righteousness and generosity and all sorts of fine-tuning. I think with God it is the “potter and clay” kind of editing. God already created me once, this time it’s about the release of my potential.

I think with God it is the “potter and clay” kind of editing. God already created me once, this time it’s about the release of my potential.

Discipleship means being open to be more, not less – and to be the most true and authentic version of myself, the one God intends for this world.

Okay, wait a moment, I just caught another typo… ouch! – DEREK