“Astonishing! Can you imagine walking up to your own horrific execution, kissing the stake where you would be chained and burned alive, and then using your final moments to boldly preach to the crowd instead of crying for help?
In 1557, during the cruel and bloody reign of Queen Mary I of England, a godly woman named Cicely Ormes was targeted by the British empire. She wasn’t rich, she wan’t from the upper class, and she certainly wasn’t highly educated. She was simply an ordinary, gentle Christian believer in Norwich whose conscience refused to allow her 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. But Cicely answered them simply and plainly: “Salvation does not rest in the inventions of men, but in Jesus Christ alone!” For her uncompromising confession, she was condemned as a heretic and sentenced to die by fire.
When the day of her execution arrived, the large gathering crowds expected a woman of such gentle stature to tremble, faint, or weep in absolute terror. That did not happen.
Instead, the crowds were left absolutely speechless, because God strengthened her in a mighty way.
When Cicely approached the execution grounds and saw the wood prepared for her burning, she showed a quiet, calm, supernatural cheerfulness that astonished everyone watching. Instead of fainting from fear, 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. 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 consumed her, it is stated Cicely died as one feeling no pain. This faithful, ordinary servant of God yielded her life with remarkable, unshakeable courage and consistency.
The British empire thought they were simply burning a gentle woman to ashes, but instead they actually ignited a blazing testimony that no fire on earth could ever consume!
There are countless stories of Christ’s disciples meeting their death with peace and calm. It is by God’s grace that we receive the power to overcome.
Scripture says in Phillippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Do you know that kind of peace? You can … just ask.
Tagged: fear and worry, peace
