Many people in his day thought Christopher Columbus was crazy. After all, he was trying to do something no one had ever done. Others were jealous of Columbus’ influence. Still others wanted to take away his wealth and power.
In spite of it all, Columbus persisted. In his writings he gives us a glimpse into his heart, and how he could hang on. Here are a few examples.
In Columbus' Words...
“It is hoped that by God’s assistance, some of the continents in the Ocean will be discovered….for the Glory of God.”
“My hope in the One who created us all sustains me; He is an ever present help in trouble…When I was extremely depressed, He raised me with His right hand, saying,'O man of little faith, get up, it is I; do not be afraid.'”
From his Book of Prophecies
“At a very early age I began to sail upon the ocean. For more than forty years, I have sailed everywhere that people go.
“I prayed to the most merciful Lord about my heart’s great desire, and He gave me the spirit and the intelligence for the task: seafaring, astronomy, geometry, arithmetic, skill in drafting spherical maps and placing correctly the cities, rivers, mountains and ports. I also studied cosmology, history, chronology and philosophy.
“It was the Lord who put into my mind (I could feel His hand upon me) the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me.
“There is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit, because he comforted me with rays of marvelous illumination from the Holy Scriptures...
“Our Lord Jesus desired to perform a very obvious miracle in the voyage to the Indies, to comfort me and the whole people of God. I spent seven years in the royal court, discussing the matter with many persons of great reputation and wisdom in all the arts; and in the end they concluded that it was all foolishness, so they gave it up.
“I am a most unworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy, and they have covered me completely. I have found the sweetest consolations since I made it my whole purpose to enjoy His marvelous presence.
“For the execution of the journey to the Indies I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps. It is simply the fulfillment of what Isaiah had prophesied. All this is what I desire to write down for you in this book.
“No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Savior, if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service. The working out of all things has been assigned to each person by our Lord, but it all happens according to His sovereign will...”
