Whether an enthralling book with chapters you repeat or one you never finish or a movie you exit early or one which keeps you on the edge of your seat, biting your nails and perhaps even crying, each scenario comes to an end. Those who have either introduced you to the literature or attended the movie either with or before you will be anxiously awaiting to discuss your thoughts.

This is basically the type of discussion Paul is having in Philippians 3. The only difference was that the recap he discusses is the “intense thriller” of his own life story.

“⁵I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin–a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. ⁶I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.” (Phil. 3:5-6)

Paul discusses the past and in the verses that follow (Phil 3:7-12), he gives his updated opinion about his past life and his desires for his future.  I encourage you to read those when you have a moment. He “keeps it real” about the fact that he’s not “arrived” but where his focus must be in order to get to the place he now desires in verse 13:

 “¹³ No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,^{If we think of some of the discussions we’ve had after experiencing a book or movie, we can recall comments like, “I don’t care to ever read/see that again,” or “I’d definitely see that one again,” or “I hope everyone I know will check that out.” or “I’m going to buy that for someone.”}

The overall gist is this-at the end, we make decisions.  We choose to use what we’ve seen/witnessed/experienced to enlighten someone else or we decide to put it behind us with intent never to bring it up again.

Paul’s story was not pretty.  Only Satan himself would’ve enjoyed a continuation.  Many of us, if we are honest, have stories like that.  Some began in 2015, but some we’ve allowed to continue from year’s past. I encourage you to take a moment in the theatre of your life and look at all the scenes that have played out as this year comes to an end. Those habits, hindrances, harlots, hangups, hurts, hiccups and pure hellions that will keep you from running the race set before you in 2016-let them Go!!!  Say to yourself, “THE END!”