Sacramento State Capitol

Sacramento, California

State Capitol

State Seal - featuring a bear, a miner, shipping, and a Greek woman

Larry admires the marble statue of Columbus and Queen Isabella

We recently enjoyed a trip to California and Nevada that included visits to their state capitols.  We like to check out state capitols on our travels.  The fine building in Sacramento was built in 1822, and has room after room decorated with beautiful features.

This statue Larry is looking at has an interesting engraving near its base.  In this tableau, Christopher Columbus appears to be seeking funds to finance his great adventure across the wide oceans. Queen Isabella of Spain, agrees to fund the venture, saying, "I will assume the undertaking for my own Crown of Castile, and am ready to pawn my jewels to defray the expenses of it, if the funds in the treasury shall be found inadequate."  I was impressed by her willingness to sacrifice for what she believed in.

It made me think about we as Christians - are we willing to sacrifice for what we believe in?  When God places a burden on our hearts, or an opportunity at our feet, what do we do?  Do we give it our all for Christ, or consider the cost too high and let the opportunity pass?

I don't imagine Queen Isabella ever realized what a great deed was done that day when she put her all on the line for a simple sea captain to make a long and dangerous voyage to an unknown land.  Only eternity will reveal the extent of the outcome of our actions.