The Fire of Compassion: In Memory of Dirk Willems

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
— Romans 12:21 (NLT)

Today, we pause in the quiet rhythm of our urban monastic walk to remember Dirk Willems, a humble follower of Christ who lived not for fame, but for faith. Born into the storms of 16th-century Christendom, Dirk chose a narrow path, one where love trumped fear, and mercy held more weight than survival.

The story that echoes down the centuries is this: Dirk had escaped imprisonment for his Anabaptist faith. Running for his life across the thin ice of a frozen pond, he made it safely to the other side. His pursuer, however, broke through the ice and began to drown. And Dirk knowing full well what awaited him, turned back.

He saved the man chasing him. He was recaptured.

And on this very day, May 16, 1569, he was burned at the stake.

🔥 What kind of love turns back?
🔥 What kind of courage chooses compassion over escape?
🔥 What kind of faith walks back into the fire?

As Together church walking the edges of modern life, amid injustice, chaos, and the constant temptation to put self-preservation before sacrificial love, we must ask ourselves: What am I willing to risk for love?

Dirk didn’t just preach the gospel. He lived it on a frozen pond with no audience but God.

Reflection Questions
• Who in your life have you been running from instead of running toward with compassion?
• In what moments have you been challenged to “turn back” and help someone, even at a cost to yourself?
• What does it mean for you to overcome evil with good, today?

Community Call-In:  Share Your Story
We want to hear from you.
Has there been a time when you made a hard choice to love someone who didn’t deserve it—or maybe couldn’t return it?
Drop your story or thoughts in the comments. Let’s learn from each other. Let’s build a table of grace, one story at a time.

And as you walk today, whether through city streets or quiet corners, remember Dirk Willems—the man who turned back.
May we, too, walk back when love calls us to.

✝️Cook. Serve. Pray. Repeat.