For many years, since I was a teenager, the seven days between Christmas and the start of January has been a special week for me. It usually meant a break from life’s grinding routine (whether school or job), seeing old friends, ball games on TV, family togetherness, great food, and more. Basically, I was still basking in the afterglow of Christmas and bolstered by the promise of a new year.
One thing that makes this week special is the tradition I developed over thirty years ago. Every year at this time I do some life inventory. Among the questions I ask are: Where am I on the journey with God? What regrets do I have from this year just ending? What goals for the new? Highlights for the year? Moments when I felt closest to God? Moments of greatest struggle? How many goals were accomplished? Wisest investment of time? Things I hope never to do again? Lessons learned? How healthy are my relationships? What micro changes does God want to make in me? What macro changes? What is God teaching me as this year comes to an end? What great (or small) advances have occurred? Two or three top books read? What issue(s) need resolution? What is the overall state of my soul as I prepare to enter a new year?
As the great philosopher said: The unexamined life is not worth living.
I’m into examination.
I realize that to some, such introspection is as exciting as oral surgery. For me, however, it brings a tremendous sense of satisfaction and peace. I am on pilgrimage with God. Finishing well is a major goal. Honest, healthy self-critic is vital.
So…amidst all the wishes of a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year I wish you a well examined life. To me, anything else seems hardly worth living.
Insight for the Journey 
This year, in all earnestness, I’ve resolved to limit my self examination.
I’ll continue on my spiritual journey, and I’m sure that every day there will be times when God will open my eyes to what His will is for me. But for once, I’m not going to try to figure it all out. For once, literally, I’m not going to take it upon myself to understand my own inner workings. For once, I’m going to go back to the roots of my own conversion, when I knew that there was a God, and I also knew how utterly incapable I was of finding Him. I prayed instead that He lead me to Him, in His time, and in His way.
This year I will be less of a searcher, and more of a follower, ever praying for Him to lead the way.
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