Track Changes

The advent of the track changes feature in Microsoft Word has launched a new level of productivity in collaborative work processes that is really quite cool. My problem has always been that I am awful at seeing what the document would actual look, feel and sound like if with all of those red lines and crossed out sections. Typically, I have to accept all the changes in the document and then read it and see what I think. But given our company's propensity towards the track changes feature and collaborative proposal writing, I am forced to try to change. I faced with the challenge to work collaboratively without being able to fully see or predict what the final product will be. An element of trust is clearly in order as I expect my colleagues to navigate the red lines with an eye for proper formatting. Yet there remains another unique element of the problem. I need to start to adjust my view. I need to see that while red lines may prevail for the moment, they will lead to a beautiful final document that is edited and ready to print. I need to learn the nuances of the program and value the utility of each function. I need to weigh carefully which type of edits, comments and suggestions I make. I need to keep in mind who is ultimately compiling all of these collaborative changes and what would be most helpful to them in terms of how I structure my changes.

Ultimately, I need to loose my grip on the final product and start to have a mind for the present.

Oh how deep those words ring in a heart that longs for the final product to be realized in God's kingdom, in the Church and in my own life. While I may labor incessantly to edit, revise and improve my walk with God and the community around me, I must always keep in view that Christ is the only one with the power to "Accept all Changes". He knits together all of our work, all or our edits and we will surely stand in amazement of the final product- whenever it may come.