| In the summer of 1425, when she was thirteen, Joan experienced her first heavenly visitation: a blaze of bright light accompanied by a voice. She received numerous such visitations during the months that followed. During this time, she gradually became aware of the call of God on her life. He seemed to be telling her that she was to go to the aid of the disinherited Charles, the true king of France; drive the English away from Orleans and out of the country; and lead the procession to see Charles enthroned. At first, she resisted: I'm just a girl. I have no education, no training in military skills. Who's going to listen to me? By May 1428, Joan was convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that God was leading her to go to Charles' aid. She believed that God was true and that He would back her up in everything that He called her to do. After passing numerous tests placed upon her, Joan's faith, simplicity, and honesty made a very positive impression onKing Charles, his court, and later, even a large committee of highly educated bishops, who found nothing heretical in her claims of supernatural guidance. An Army of the Lord Joan had such an incredible presence of the Lord on her that she drew people to her everywhere she turned. By the time she arrived on the battlefield, Charles' army was at a very low point; they were exhausted, defeated, discouraged, and disillusioned. Many of the soldiers had begun to desert. Then Joan appeared, proclaiming, "I have a vision from God. He has called me to raise an army for our nation and for Him." As Joan's presence became known, soldiers began to rush to her side by the thousands. The call was given, and they came gladly. Rough, vulgar, immoral, and intemperate as many of them were, the men found her innocence, spiritual piety, and patriotic fervor irresistible. Her presence filled them with new vigor and courage. She held up for them a standard of righteousness, purity, and devotion to the Lord, and they rallied around her. Even though she was a young woman in the midst of an army of men, Joan had a holy quality about her that blocked their tendencies to regard her in a sexual manner. Joan had absolutely no training in military operations or strategy, but God gave her battle plans on the field. Under Joan's leadership, the French ultimately captured the city of Troyes, opening the way to Rheims where, on July 17, 1429, Charles VII was solemnly crowned king with Joan standing by as a witness. This fulfilled the words that she had prophetically declared in a letter three months earlier, that Charles would be crowned king before the end of the summer. Later, she was captured by the English, tried for heresy, and burned at the stake. Joan faced the flames fully conscious. As the flames rose, she called out for the cross. When it was held up before her, she called repeatedly on the name of Jesus, forgiving those who had wronged her and pouring out words of love and devotion to Him. Walking in Joan's Legacy of Courage What does the life of this fifteenth-century teenaged girl have to say to us today?  We can take courage from the simple fact that Joan was so ordinary.
There was nothing obvious that made her stand out. By normal human standards she had no qualifications for the mission she undertook. She had no education, no religious training, no leadership experience. She was not ordained to the ministry. In fact, she lived during a time when women's freedom in both church and society was greatly restricted. What made the difference? Joan possessed the only qualification that mattered: she loved God with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength. She was completely sold out to Him. God chose her and used her because she made herself available to Him. Her executioner claimed that her heart would not burn. If this was so, perhaps it was because her heart had already been burned by her passion for God. She was so consumed by Him that nothing else could touch her. We can all take courage in this—the only thing God requires of us in order to be used is that we know Him, love Him, and make ourselves available to obey Him. I'm available and ready to obey, how about you? Rising Up in Courage!
James W. Goll
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