“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
Queen Mary I of England, who was also known as “Bloody Mary”, executed hundreds of Christians during her reign in 1553-1558.
In 1557, a godly woman named Cicely Ormes was targeted. She wasn’t a powerful noblewoman, nor was she a highly educated scholar. She was simply an ordinary, gentle Christian believer in Norwich whose conscience absolutely refused to bow to the doctrines of Rome.
The powerful bishops and priests interrogated her relentlessly, demanding that she submit to the Catholic Mass and acknowledge their doctrines. Cicely answered them simply and plainly: “Salvation does not rest in the inventions of men, but in Jesus Christ alone!” For this uncompromising confession, she was immediately condemned as a heretic and sentenced to die by fire.
When the terrifying day arrived, the gathered crowds expected a woman of such gentle stature to tremble, faint, or weep in absolute terror. Instead, they were left completely speechless. God strengthened her mightily!
When Cicely approached the execution grounds and saw the wood prepared for her burning…she showed a quiet, supernatural cheerfulness that astonished everyone watching. She walked straight up to the stake, embraced it, and kissed it!
As the heavy iron chains were fastened tightly around her, she didn’t beg for her life. Instead, she boldly preached to the crowd, exhorting them to remain faithful to the Gospel and to never fear the threats of men. She reminded them that the fire could only consume her physical body, but never her redeemed soul.
As the blazing torch was set to the wood and the fierce flames compassed her about. She died as one feeling no pain. This faithful, ordinary servant of God yielded her life with remarkable, unshakeable constancy. The authorities thought they were simply burning a gentle woman to ashes. However, what they really did was ignite a blazing testimony that no fire on earth could ever consume!
Source: Foxe’s Book of Martyrs
https://dn760005.eu.archive.org/0/items/foxesbookofmartyrs_201708/Foxes-Book-of-Martyrs.pdf
Sometimes when we remove our eyes from ourselves and look at the “all things” which Christ has called another person to, we are sobered. Our “things” are then put into the proper perspective.
Testimonies like this can help us to remember that the same God that strengthened Cicely to march into her execution with boldness, will also strengthen us in the “things” He leads us into. Even when the thing is a sting.
“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Genesis 50:20
In Times Like These 