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Explorer’s 533-year-old journey offers lessons
about courage and taking risks in modern life

Christopher Columbus’ goal was to get to Asia, but his original calculations were incorrect. So instead, after five weeks at sea, on Oct. 12, 1492, he landed in what is now the Bahamas. It’s an absolutely amazing story of exploration and adventure. He never would have accomplished such a feat if he hadn’t had the courage to try.

Today we celebrate that courage.

Columbus is remembered for his epic journey that was a key turning point in world history — connecting Europe with the Americas. He was from Genoa, Italy, so Italian Americans are particularly proud to celebrate his legacy. The District of Columbia, the seat of our government, is named after him. Columbia University, an Ivy League college, as well as many cities and towns in America, are named in his honor.

In more recent times there has been controversy surrounding Columbus. … But our focus is on his courage. The courage to discover, to explore, to not settle in life. The courage to take risks and do what is demanding. The courage that is necessary to succeed.

What can stand in the way is discouragement. To be discouraged means literally a loss of courage. Have you lost your courage? Do you need to get your courage back? Do you have anxiety, fear, worry? You overcome it by practicing courage.

Joshua 1:9 tells us, “I’ve commanded you to be strong and courageous. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged. I am the Lord your God and I will be there to help you wherever you go.” You can be courageous because God is with you to help.

You can run away, or you can run after it. You can run to your destiny, chase after the God-ordained opportunities in your life, or you can shrink back. But less demanding means less fulfilling.

Have the courage to pursue it. Have the courage to not be stagnant, to not settle for where you are, to not give up on your future.

Maybe it’s a big dream you need to pursue. Maybe it’s an addiction, a life-controlling habit you need to break. Maybe it’s your mindset, the negative self-talk and nagging self-doubt you must change. Maybe it’s doing the right thing, even though it will be hard. Have the courage and just do it.

Stop giving the lies permission to stay. Stop rehearsing the criticism. Stop accepting defeat before you’ve even tried. Make room for courage. For the courageous voice in you to say, “I can do it.”

You might stumble or fall along the way, but doing nothing guarantees you never move forward. Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s choosing to act in spite of it. The real risk isn’t in failing, it’s in never trying.

It’s courage that turns conviction into action and sacrifice into legacy.

Discover your courage today.