When I was in an 8th grade social studies class one day, my teacher asked all of us what we wanted to be when we grew up. While other students proudly said they wanted to be firefighters and doctors, I boldly told the class, "I want to be a martyr."
My teacher was almost dumbfounded and my classmates had no clue what I was saying. I explained that when I grew up, I wanted to die for Christ. Interesting that as an 8th grader, a 3 year old believer in Christ, I knew exactly how I wanted to go. My sisters had been reading Jesus Freaks by DC Talk and I couldn't think of a better way to meet the Lord.
Perpetua spent some time in prison with her servant and friend, Felicity (who was 8 months pregnant at the time & gave birth days before her execution) along with other believers. In the darkness of the prison, they shone the light of Christ! God even gave her dreams to encourage her in what was to come!
Putting teeth to Luke 14 and Matthew 10, Perpetua and Felicity, along with their friends (including Perpetua's husband), were mauled by wild animals in front of a blood thirsty crowd and their throats were slit, releasing their spirits with great dignity and joy!
To be honest, the idea of being murdered for Christ is terrifying to me now. I cannot imagine the fear that would course through my body as the executioner moved closer. But I am also encouraged by Perpetua and Felicity. Perpetua didn't even realize that she had been attacked by an animal afterwards: Jesus had taken the brunt of it for her! I don't know if I will be martyred, but I do know that I would find unexplainable peace and joy in knowing that my life was given for Christ as a witness that others would follow Him! Not to mention the fact that I would be only moments away from being with my Lord and Savior! I would love to be in the rapture or to die peacefully in my sleep, but dying for Christ would definitely be the best way to go!
