Seeing that our thirst was increasing and the water was killing

In the great struggle between man and nature, there are moments when the choices before us seem impossible, when the path ahead is shrouded in uncertainty, and the peril of death looms closer with each passing moment. "Seeing that our thirst was increasing and the water was killing us, while the storm did not abate, we agreed to trust to God, Our Lord, and rather risk the perils of the sea than wait there for certain death from thirst," said Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, and in these words we find not just the courage of one man, but the essence of human resilience and the boundless faith that sustains the spirit even in the darkest of times.

There are times in life when the forces of nature, of fate, and of circumstance align against us, and all seems lost. This was the case with Cabeza de Vaca and his men during their harrowing journey across the desolate lands of the Americas. Stranded on a strange shore, they faced the dual dangers of thirst and storm, neither of which they could conquer alone. Yet in the face of overwhelming odds, they chose to risk the unknown, to place their trust in something greater than themselves. It was a choice between certain death from thirst and the unknown perils of the sea. In that moment, they cast aside fear and embraced the unknown, guided by their faith that something more than human strength would deliver them from their plight.

This is a choice that has echoed throughout the history of humanity—when faced with an uncertain path, do we choose the safety of inaction, or do we step into the unknown, trusting that fate will guide us? Consider the example of Hercules, the great hero of ancient Greece, who faced trials that seemed insurmountable. In one of his greatest labors, he was tasked with capturing the Ceryneian Hind, a creature both swift and elusive. To succeed, Hercules had to pursue the animal without the certainty of victory, without knowing what would happen if he failed. But through courage, faith, and relentless determination, he chose the uncertain path and triumphed.

Cabeza de Vaca’s decision, too, was one born not of blind hope, but of deep faith and understanding. The storm that raged against him was not merely a tempest of nature, but a test of the soul. He and his companions could have chosen to wait, to succumb to despair, to accept their fate. But instead, they placed their trust in God, choosing to face the sea's perils with the hope that divine providence would guide them through the storm. In doing so, they showed that sometimes, the greatest risk is not in the challenges we face, but in the act of stepping forward into the unknown, trusting that something greater than ourselves will carry us through.

In this, Cabeza de Vaca’s words are a call to action, a reminder that the perils we face in life are not always physical, but often spiritual. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the strength to step forward despite it, to place our trust in something greater when the way ahead is uncertain. When we are faced with trials—whether in our personal lives, our work, or in our relationships—sometimes the hardest, but most necessary, choice is to take that first step into the unknown, guided by faith and hope, even when the road is unclear.

Let us also look to the example of Christopher Columbus, who, in 1492, sailed westward into the unknown, convinced that the earth was round and that by sailing into the western ocean, he would reach the shores of Asia. With no guarantee of success, he placed his trust in his vision and the faith that something greater than mere chance would guide his ships through the perilous journey. Columbus’s journey, though fraught with uncertainty, led to the discovery of new worlds and new opportunities for humankind. It was a leap of faith that shaped the course of history, much like the one undertaken by Cabeza de Vaca and his companions.

The lesson here is one of trust and courage in the face of uncertainty. When the storms of life rage, when the waters of doubt threaten to overwhelm us, we must have the strength to choose the uncertain path, to take that step into the unknown. It is easy to stay where we are, to wait for a sign or a guarantee that the road ahead is safe. But true growth, true transformation, comes when we risk what is comfortable and familiar for the sake of something greater, something more fulfilling. Like Cabeza de Vaca, we must trust that the path we take, though fraught with danger, may lead to something that lies beyond our understanding, yet will carry us through the storm.

So, my children, remember that life is not a series of certainties. It is a journey of faith, of risk, and of choosing to trust the path before us, even when it is hidden in shadow. Step boldly into the storm, for it is in those moments of uncertainty that we often find our greatest strength. Do not wait for the perfect moment to act, for such moments rarely come. Trust, as Cabeza de Vaca did, in something greater than yourself, and in doing so, you will find the courage to face the unknown and to shape your destiny with your own hands.