21 World Changing Women: Day 1

I began posting every other week not long ago because life went a little wacky and became extra busy (and I have to post on Everything In Between as well). I think I'm ready to post more consistently again. Instead of going full out post every week, I'm going to post three times a month. One devo, one story, and two short devotions from my devotional, 21 World Changing Women. I started sharing these with my subscribers, but now I'm going to post them for everyone to read. Enjoy!

Everlasting Happiness

Day 1: Perpetua (approximately 182-203 AC)

"'Yes,' Jesus replied, 'and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property- along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.'"

Mark 10: 29-30

Perpetua grew up in a rich family, learning how to read and write. She had at least 3 brothers, but that is all we know about her early life until she is twenty-two, with a baby and is a Christian. We don't know how she became a Christian or where she heard about it, but we do know her faith was strong. When she was twenty-three, she started a diary.

At that time, the Roman Emperor, Septimus Severus, decided the time had come. He arrested a small group of young Christians, Perpetua among them. A close friend of Perpetua was Felicitas, who was arrested as well. The Proconsul ordered them to sacrifice to the Roman gods.

"If you don't make a sacrifice to them, you will be sacrificed to them," the Procounsul warned them. None of the young people gave in. They were all thrown into prison.

Soon the day came for the young people to die. Perpetua and Felicitas were led into the arena to meet a hungry wild animal. Perpetua was thrown again and again, but she always got up, trying to encourage Felicitas.

Finally the bull was led away and the guard came in with the rest of the young people. They were all slain by this guard.

Two-hundred years later, Augustine, one of the most famous teachers in Christian history, learned about Perpetua and Felicitas' amazing fight for faith. Augustine pointed out to his students that if you put their names together, then translate the words, they mean Everlasting Happiness, which is what they are now enjoying in heaven.