As we near the end of 2022 and 2023 approaches, there’s something about the coming new year that makes us more open to reflect seriously upon who we are, who God is, and whether our lives are as aligned as they could be with the plans and purposes of God. 

Sometimes however, I think we get so caught up in the exciting hopefulness of what could be, that we make resolutions without doing much meaningful reflection. So, before you make any decisions or commitments, before you set any goals or lofty, well-intended ambitions, take some time and consider these words from Psalm 139:

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.”

The idea behind the phrase “you have searched me” has its roots (pun intended) in digging up the earth. It’s someone digging holes in the dirt in search of what’s buried beneath the surface. This imagery is hardly surprising since we humans were first fashioned from the very earth itself! (Genesis 2:7) 

This sort of inner searching is not some quick glance in the mirror. It’s not a passing thought or a fleeting idea. It’s a down in the dirt sort of review. It’s a blisters-on-your-hands and sweat-on-your-brow sort of reflection. As much as we might prefer a less intrusive, less rigorous way of self-discovery, this inner reflective work God is calling us to is hard work.

So, before we commit to doing something, let’s do some digging. Do the demanding work of deep, meaningful self-reflection and invite God into the process. Ask Him to help you unearth what’s hidden and unseen. Then, once you’ve done this work, you’ll have established a foundation capable of sustaining new habits and patterns. If you need some help with this unearthing process, I humbly offer the following 7 questions as way of getting started. Ask yourself:

1. Is there any secret sin in my life that needs to be repented of and/or confessed before God? 
2. Is there any unaddressed anger or bitterness that has attached itself to my soul? 
3. Is there any pain and hurt I’ve held on to that I’ve failed to surrender to God?
4. Where do I feel restless and where is this restlessness coming from? 
5. Are there any relationships that have become strained or damaged because of something I have or have not done that need my attention?
6. Where, how, and in what ways did I experience delight and rest in God in the past year?
7. Where do I sense God stirring me towards new things, people, or opportunities? 

Once you’ve done the necessary inner work, you might want to respond with these 3 questions. Having done some serious reflection…

• What do I need to stop doing?
• What do I need to continue doing? 
• What do I need to start doing? 

Now, don’t overdo it here. Sometimes we come out of the New Year’s gate so hard that we make it impossible to keep everything we set before ourselves. Overcommitting looks great on paper, but it is a recipe for discouragement. It’s better to grow by baby steps than not at all. Try committing to just one action item in each area. As these next steps become integrated in your rhythm of life, revisit some of the other goals, habits, and patterns you’d like to establish for yourself. 

The bottom line is this: we get to choose how we navigate this transition from one year to the next. If we so choose, we can do little to nothing with this time and continue on with ‘business’ as usual. 

Or we can take God at His word and recognize, that because God loves us, God loves to see us grow, mature, and develop as people in faith through grace. And not only does God love to see us grow, God is so committed to our growth, that He’s willing to get His hands dirty with us in order to help us grow. 

So may the prayer of Psalm 139 be our prayer as we enter this new year:

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.”

Happy digging and have a happy New Year!