Performing No More
by Scotty of Passion for Prison
In my interview on page 20, I shared briefly about the
abuse I suffered at the hands of my father. Because of the
way my dad treated me, I was angry for years. But through the
healing ministry of Celebrate Recovery, I discovered that my
dad was being the best dad he knew how to be.
How could I be mad at someone for doing their best? It
would be like being mad at a blind man for walking on my
feet. My dad had learned his behavior from his dad, and his
dad from his dad, and so on. The abuse was a generational
thing. I praise God that, because of Jesus, that cycle has now
ended! Both my father and my grandfather are now in heaven
where we will one day have a perfect relationship in the
presence of our God.
I was blessed to lead my father to the Lord. We were at
my grandfather’s bedside in a hospital room. I had my Bible
in hand when my dad suddenly started to cry. Most Hispanic
men don’t let anyone see them cry. My dad began apologizing
for things he had done to me and for the things that he hadn’t
done for me.
In a split second, Jesus
did what I had tried to do every
day through my performance.
I said, “Dad, I forgive you.” And then I asked him to forgive
me for not being the best son I could have been. We began
to talk about Grandpa and God. “You know, Dad, Grandpa
is about to pass from this life, but because he knows Jesus
Christ, he knows where he’s going. Do you know where you’re
going? Do you want to know?”
My dad said yes, he wanted to know where he would go
after his own death. I shared the gospel of Jesus Christ and led
my dad to the Lord.
I’d been waiting my whole life for my dad to tell me that
he loved me and that he was proud of me. I did anything I
thought he might approve of, just so he’d say those words. But
he never had. Yet the moment my father prayed for Jesus to
come into his heart and said amen, he told me he loved me
and that he was proud of me.
In a split second, Jesus did what I had tried to do every day
through my performance. From that day forward, until the day
my father died, he would call to tell me those two things.
What are you trying to bring about through your
performance? Let it go; let God have it. Only God can work in
the hearts of men and restore relationships. Draw close to God
and do what He tells you to do. Forgive. Ask for forgiveness.
Love. Wait. Trust. Be kind. And then watch as God does what
only He can do. He is able to do abundantly more than you
can ever hope for or imagine.
Are you experiencing victorious living?
Is your life filled with
purpose, love, joy, and peace?
Do you have hope for your future?
Forgiveness for your past?
Strength for your tomorrow?
Right now you might be thinking, “Are you kidding me? Joy, peace, purpose? Worth,
strength, forgiveness? I’ll never have those things! Look at where I am! Look at what I’ve been
through. Look at what I’ve done. Look at what has been done to me.”
Friend, right now, no matter what your past or present,
all of these things can be yours. You can have peace that passes
all understanding, joy in the midst of hardship, love and acceptance despite your failures,
forgiveness, and a fresh start. Your life can have purpose.
It doesn’t matter if you are sitting in a mansion or in a jail cell or somewhere in between,
a victorious life can be yours TodaY!
How? Through a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
If you do not currently have a relationship with God, begin one right now. Romans 10:8–10
nkjv explains how: “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart…that if you
confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him
from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with
the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
As you accept what Christ has done for you and put your faith in Him
alone for salvation, you are then free to have a relationship with God and
experience His peace, power, presence, and love. You don’t have to do anything to earn God’s
love and forgiveness. It’s yours for the asking!
After you’ve received this free gift of salvation, guess what? You are then able to step into
the life of victory Christ died to give you—an abundant life of peace, joy, worth, love, and
purpose. As you grow in your relationship with Him through studying and applying the Word
of God and by trusting Him, these things are released in your daily life.
Will you pray with me right now and receive
all that God intends for you?
Dear Lord,
I confess that I am a sinner in need of salvation. I thank You for sending Your Son,
Jesus, to save me from my sins. Thank You that He laid down His life for me so that
I could have a new life in Him. I receive, by faith, this forgiveness of sin. I now give
my life, my past, and my future to You. Guide my steps and speak to my heart, Lord.
Amen
kojministries.org Issue 4 2017 39
/kojministries.org