A Leap Of Faith
#1853
Imagine you're standing on the bank of a large and quiet river. The water gently laps against the shore, cool air rising from its surface. You need to cross it, so you start preparing. You collect data on the distance, the best landing point, and the currents. When you have all the information, you find the right boat and perhaps someone to guide you.
Things change with rapids, where whitewater streams rush and change direction without warning. The bank remains visible, but meticulous planning gives way to moment-by-moment adaptation. You'll never be perfectly prepared, so you must be ready to respond to whatever comes from the moment you enter the water.
Now, imagine standing on a shore in Portugal in the 13th century. Before you stretches an endless expanse of water reaching the horizon. Waves as tall as buildings rush toward you. Maps mark these waters with "Here be dragons." Everyone says it's the end of the world. Yet, you wonder what lies beyond that horizon. How do you prepare for such a journey? You don't know the distance. You don't even know if anything exists beyond that line where sky meets water. You can't prepare for what you don't know.
Unless you have faith.
It doesn't matter what you have faith in, as long as it gives you the unconditional trust to take that first step, even when you can't see the destination.
When was the last time you ventured beyond your horizon without knowing what awaited you? What gave you the courage to take that first step?