Proof reading; just saying it makes me gag. Yet proof reading is one of the most important steps in writing a document, paper, or book. I imagine most of you have had the experience of thinking a document you had completed was ready to submit only to find a typo, misspelled word(s), or some other grammatical faux pas.

David Haynes who is a childhood friend and now an editor for the Milwaukee Sentinel once comforted me when I told him that I wasn't able to catch all my mistakes when I was proof reading a workbook I was writing. "Neal, he said graciously, "at our paper we have three different sets of eyes read an article before it goes to print. Even then, our proof reading isn't perfect. We still miss some mistakes!"

I now have a common practice of having three different sets of eyes proof read an important document to which I sign my name. Even though I detest proof reading, because I know it will both point out some flaws in my work as well as identify the ones I hadn't even seen, I realize how important the practice is for the finished product.

So I began to think recently, if proof reading is important in my work, just how much more important can proof reading be to my faith. Think of it with me.
What would it mean to regularly proof read your life and your faith? What might you be missing that is right before your very eyes? What would it be like to have three sets of other eyes reviewing your faith with you; not to judge, but rather to enhance your faith and therefore your life?

At JCPC, we have many different sets of eyes that can help in proof reading your faith. Worship, Bible studies, and small groups all provide a different look from which to view your faith.

In the upcoming weeks, I'm going to explore in more detail what it can mean for us to take the time to proof read our lives. I'm not looking for typos; mind you, but rather offering a different set of eyes to enhance your living human document!

Prayer for Today

Creative God, you know our words before we speak and you have discerned our thoughts before we think. Help us to proof-read our lives in such a way that we can make the corrections and additions necessary to glorify your holy name. Amen.