Imagine you are a twenty-two year old mother who was born into a wealthy family, living in the third century with your husband and infant son in Carthage (Which is now known as Tunis). At this time, it is a vibrant Christian community. You and several other new believers are preparing for baptism. Your life goes on as normal, and the excitement in you increases as your baptismal classes become closer to finishing. You can't wait to get baptized and give your heart to God!
One day, Emperor Septimius Severus decides to ban Christianity. All of your hopes and dreams crash down as you, with the four others who were also preparing for baptism with you are some of the first to be arrested. In solidarity, Saturus, another member of the group who had not been arrested with the rest of you, turns himself in.
Soon after your arrest, your father comes to visit you. He tries to persuade you to turn away from your faith, and then be set free and go home.
You respond by pointing to some pottery in your cell. “Father, do you see this container lying here? Is it a pitcher, or is it something else?”
“It’s a pitcher,” he replies.
You continue, “Can it be called by any name other than what it is?”
“No,” he said.
Then you reply by saying, “Neither can I call myself anything else than what I am – a Christian.” Your father then flies into a rage, attacking you and cursing you. When he finally leaves, you fall to your knees and give thanks to God.
One day, you are finally allowed to be baptized there in the prison. Your heart overflows with joy as you step into the waters. You are delighted that you get to be baptized, and give your heart to God.
Soon after, however, prison officials transfer your group to a worse section of the dungeon. Fearing for your baby in the dark, unhealthy environment, you ask your mother and brother to take him. Fortunately, it was soon arranged for the prisoners to be moved to a better part of the prison, where you could once again nurse and care for your child.
Your brother suggests to you one day, to ask God for a vision to discover the divine purpose of your captivity. Confident that you will receive one, you tell him, “Tomorrow I will tell you.” That night, you saw an incredibly tall, narrow ladder made of gold and stretching to heaven. The ladder was beautiful except for one thing: all sorts of cruel weapons – swords, lances, hooks, and daggers – were attached to the sides of it, endangering reckless climbers. The weapons weren’t the only danger; below the ladder you see a huge, crouching dragon waiting to consume those who would not make the climb.
In the vision, Saturus made the climb first. Reaching the top, he encourages you to join him. The dragon lifted its head as you approach, but undeterred, you step on its head as the first stride upward. You climbed the ladder and came to the top, where you found yourself in an immense garden. A white-haired shepherd sat in the middle, milking his sheep. Around him were gathered thousands of people in white robes. The shepherd looks at you and said, “You are welcome, daughter.” He offers you some cheese that he had made. You ate it, and the people looking on said, “Amen.”
When you woke up, you still tasted the indescribable flavor of the food you had eaten. After sharing the vision with your brother, you both agreed that it meant you would end your time of imprisonment as a martyr.
~~~~
That person was Perpetua. A female Christian martyr. She sacrificed her life, family, and everything she owned in the world for God. Her father continually tried to persuade her to turn away from her faith, but she would not waver. She said, "It will all happen in the prisoner's dock as God wills, for you may be sure that we are not left to ourselves, but are all in his power.”
Would you be able to have that faith? To not turn away from God, but stay true to Him no matter the cost? It would be hard, but by God’s grace, we will be able to face whatever gets thrown at us.
Let’s stay true to God, no matter what. He will be there for us, whenever we need Him.
Ashley Angeles
One day, Emperor Septimius Severus decides to ban Christianity. All of your hopes and dreams crash down as you, with the four others who were also preparing for baptism with you are some of the first to be arrested. In solidarity, Saturus, another member of the group who had not been arrested with the rest of you, turns himself in.
Soon after your arrest, your father comes to visit you. He tries to persuade you to turn away from your faith, and then be set free and go home.
You respond by pointing to some pottery in your cell. “Father, do you see this container lying here? Is it a pitcher, or is it something else?”
“It’s a pitcher,” he replies.
You continue, “Can it be called by any name other than what it is?”
“No,” he said.
Then you reply by saying, “Neither can I call myself anything else than what I am – a Christian.” Your father then flies into a rage, attacking you and cursing you. When he finally leaves, you fall to your knees and give thanks to God.
One day, you are finally allowed to be baptized there in the prison. Your heart overflows with joy as you step into the waters. You are delighted that you get to be baptized, and give your heart to God.
Soon after, however, prison officials transfer your group to a worse section of the dungeon. Fearing for your baby in the dark, unhealthy environment, you ask your mother and brother to take him. Fortunately, it was soon arranged for the prisoners to be moved to a better part of the prison, where you could once again nurse and care for your child.
Your brother suggests to you one day, to ask God for a vision to discover the divine purpose of your captivity. Confident that you will receive one, you tell him, “Tomorrow I will tell you.” That night, you saw an incredibly tall, narrow ladder made of gold and stretching to heaven. The ladder was beautiful except for one thing: all sorts of cruel weapons – swords, lances, hooks, and daggers – were attached to the sides of it, endangering reckless climbers. The weapons weren’t the only danger; below the ladder you see a huge, crouching dragon waiting to consume those who would not make the climb.
In the vision, Saturus made the climb first. Reaching the top, he encourages you to join him. The dragon lifted its head as you approach, but undeterred, you step on its head as the first stride upward. You climbed the ladder and came to the top, where you found yourself in an immense garden. A white-haired shepherd sat in the middle, milking his sheep. Around him were gathered thousands of people in white robes. The shepherd looks at you and said, “You are welcome, daughter.” He offers you some cheese that he had made. You ate it, and the people looking on said, “Amen.”
When you woke up, you still tasted the indescribable flavor of the food you had eaten. After sharing the vision with your brother, you both agreed that it meant you would end your time of imprisonment as a martyr.
~~~~
That person was Perpetua. A female Christian martyr. She sacrificed her life, family, and everything she owned in the world for God. Her father continually tried to persuade her to turn away from her faith, but she would not waver. She said, "It will all happen in the prisoner's dock as God wills, for you may be sure that we are not left to ourselves, but are all in his power.”
Would you be able to have that faith? To not turn away from God, but stay true to Him no matter the cost? It would be hard, but by God’s grace, we will be able to face whatever gets thrown at us.
Let’s stay true to God, no matter what. He will be there for us, whenever we need Him.
Ashley Angeles
Comments
Post a Comment
Please keep your comments/questions uplifting, without the use of any slang or swear words.