Columbus Day

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue… you probably know the rest of the story. Today the country celebrates Columbus Day. Growing up we all learned about Columbus and his journey that led to the discovery of America. But what you may not realize is just how much of an example Christopher Columbus was of having faith. For 70 days, between August 3rd and October 12th, Columbus and his men sailed west into “nothingness”. They had been warned that their journey was foolish – because they were bound to fall off the face of the earth!

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) Christopher Columbus certainly had faith in things not seen – he most certainly walked by faith and not by sight – for if his faith was by sight, he would have given up long before day 70 of his journey.

Research shows that Columbus was a Christian man, and his story is certainly a good illustration of faith. Washington Irving writes of Christopher Columbus: "He was devoutly pious: religion mingled with the whole course of his thoughts and actions, and shone forth in his most private and unstudied writings. Whenever he made any great discovery, he celebrated it by solemn thanks to God. The voice of prayer and melody of praise rose from his ships when they first beheld the New World, and his first action on landing was to prostrate himself upon the earth and return thanksgivings. Every evening the Salve Regina and other vesper hymns were chanted by his crew, and masses were performed in the beautiful groves bordering the wild shores of this heathen land. All his great enterprises were undertaken in the name of the Holy Trinity.”

Columbus was certain that his journey would not lead to falling off the earth, but that he would reach his destination. Likewise, our journey of faith is not a journey we walk by sight, but one that we walk with confidence and certainty – knowing our destination is eternal life in heaven.

The Lord has given us our faith through Baptism, and continues to strengthen that faith through His Word and Sacrament. It’s that faith our Lord gives and nourishes that gives us the confidence of knowing our journey does not end in nothingness – but in the eternal life that has been given to us through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

May the Lord bless you this week as you walk – not by sight – but by faith in the sure and certain promises of God.