A ‘Year in Review’ That Could Change Your Life

Welcome to the end of the year, where everyone from the New York Times to your local dog groomer is writing a “year in review” article. In fact, you may have clicked on this article with a little hesitancy because of that. 

First, let me congratulate you on getting through that angst and being here. I don’t take that lightly. 

Second, I actually think this may be the most important “year in review” article you read. Why? Not because of me. But because of what we’re talking about. Below, I’m going to list out my personal favorite films that I Am Second released this year, as well as a short summary. 

These films teach us important lessons about ourselves, our pasts, our futures and about the God that weaves all our stories together. And if you’re willing to spend a little time with them, I think these films (and subsequently this article) could change your life. 

I don’t say that lightly or for dramatic effect. I say it because I think it’s true. So let’s get to it.  

NUMBER 5: MEGHAN PATRICK 

“I hated myself, and I hated where I was in my life. … Maybe it’s too late for me. … Maybe I’m too far gone.”

Those are the words of country singer Meghan Patrick. Those are the words I’ve said to myself. And chances are they’re words you’ve said to yourself. Meghan’s film confronts the idea of domestic violence head on. It’s powerful. And in the process, it brings up a lot of the questions that so many of us have asked ourselves in the late nights and early mornings, in the darkness of our bedrooms or the loneliness of our dashboards. 

The answers she finds, though, are the answers that matter most. And the hope that pours out is inspiring. 

WATCH MEGHAN'S FILM

Number 4: TYLER BROWN

Like Meghan, Tyler Brown struggled with his past. At 16 years old, he started doing drugs. That started a downward spiral that saw him compromise in ways he could never imagine. 

“The drugs had so much power over me. I would do whatever it took to get them,” he says. “I was lost. I was broken. I devalued my body. I didn’t care about myself anymore.”

Hopeless, Tyler eventually found a purpose in Jesus. And for many, you might think that’s where the story ends. A drug addict hits rock bottom, finds Jesus, and then everything is fine. 

Except it wasn’t. And that’s what I love about Tyler’s story.

See, I think way too many of us believe life’s circumstances get easier when we follow Jesus. We get the job we want. We find the girl. We never want for anything. But in reality, following Jesus doesn’t magically make our lives less difficult. Instead, what it does is give us a new perspective on those challenges and help us actually deal with them and cope with them in an unexplainable (and healthy) way. 

That’s Tyler’s story. And if you want to see how it ends, you’ll have to watch. I think you’ll be encouraged. 

WATCH TYLER'S FILM

NUMBER 3: CHAD ROBICHAUX 

Raise your hand if you’ve struggled with identifying your purpose. Yeah, me too. 

That’s why I love Chad Robichaux’s “Second Edition” film from this year. If you’ve followed I Am Second for a little bit, you know that Chad is someone we’ve featured in the past. His film about confronting suicide and restoring his marriage is worth a watch. This year, though, he returned to the I Am Second set to talk about something no less dramatic: following God’s lead and doing something that seems absolutely crazy. 

Chad, a former Force Recon Marine, was pulled back into action as American troops exited Afghanistan. As a soldier who formed a bond with his Afghan interpreter, the decision by the U.S. government to pull out of Afghanistan so abruptly weighed heavy on him – especially because of what a resurgence of the Taliban meant for those who had helped American troops, like interpreters. 

The story he tells is straight out of a Hollywood movie – but it’s reality. Chad and his friends went into the country and provided safe passage for numerous interpreters, Christians and their families. 

But the story doesn’t end there! The film details another risky mission into war-torn Ukraine to save a Fox News reporter. It’s simply incredible. 

And it all starts with obedience. Want to find your purpose this next year? Watch Chad’s film and follow in his footsteps of obedience. 

WATCH CHAD'S FILM

NUMBER 2: JOSHUA BROOME 

Have you ever felt like you can’t outrun your past? You’ve done some horrible things, things you aren’t proud of. You’ve compromised. You’ve hurt others. You don’t recognize yourself anymore. 

That’s Joshua Broome’s story. 

Joshua went from being a Los Angeles waiter to the #1 male porn star in the world. He had everything he wanted: fame, money, sex. 

But he was dying inside. He hated it. He hated himself. I think a lot of us have felt that way, especially as we look back at this past year. But Joshua’s story shows us the one way to outrun our past – and it has nothing to do with us. 

If you’re looking for a reset – a redo – this year, Joshua’s film of leaving the porn industry behind and redefining himself is a must-watch. 

WATCH JOSHUA'S FILM

NUMBER 1: TYLER & BETHANY TONEY 

You don’t have to be a pre-teen or teenaged boy to know who Dude Perfect is. “The Dudes,” as they’re called, are one of the biggest viral-video sensations in the world. They appear on TV, have partnered with the NFL and you even see their “toys” in the store. 

And while you may think you know their stories, this year we got an incredible glimpse into the real life of one of the group’s superstars: Tyler Toney. 

In an honest way, Tyler takes us behind the scenes of what was happening for years within his marriage as his star was rising. That marriage to his wife Bethany was a disaster. It was crumbling. It was on the brink of ending. We see a man who had everything, but was about to lose one of the most important things in his life. Why? Because his priorities were all out of whack. 

That message speaks to me. I’m constantly struggling to get my priorities right. Chances are you are, too. I think it’s a struggle for way too many of us. 

The Toneys’ series, however, shows what can happen when we do get our priorities right. And what – and who – we need in order to do that. 

I highly recommend this film. Let it cut you to the core. Let it challenge you. And then let it motivate you for 2024. 

WATCH THE TONEYS’ SERIES

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Of course, there were plenty of other films released this year, all with important lessons. If you want to take a look at all of them, we’ve compiled them on our 2023 Watchlist. Watch them all, and then let us know which ones are your favorites.