On November 5th people up and down the country enjoy fireworks. On this date in 1605, Guy Fawkes (and others) tried to blow up parliament using gunpowder and explosives. He is often remembered by burning a mock ‘guy’ on a bonfire.

Burning a guy on a bonfire reminds us that sadly, there are many people through history who have been burned or killed for their beliefs. In 1431, Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for her beliefs. In 1536, William Tyndale, who was key in translating the Bible into English, was executed and then burned at the stake for his beliefs. In 1555, Robert Ferrar was burned in the middle of Carmarthen for teaching what he believed.

We may not agree with everything these people said and did but they all had incredible faith, so much so that they died for what they believed in. In the UK we are not generally called on to die for our faith, but how much does our faith mean to us? How far would we be prepared to go for what we believe? Are we prepared to speak up when people laugh at the notion of believing in an invisible God or claim that Jesus never existed? When friends ask us to do something that is against our moral convictions do we feel able to say no?

Jesus paid the ultimate price and died on the cross for his faith and for us, so that we can live forever! The least we can do is speak up for him whenever we can.