I have been really tired lately. Today, I returned home finally
after a long and trying day, exhausted and feeling slightly discouraged
for feeling grumpy and having just snapped at someone I cared about. In
my own sanctuary, the first thing I saw on Facebook today was a post by
our Lord and Savior: Jesus Christ
Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you Be strong and courageous?
Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God
will be with you wherever you go"
This reminded me of something I read a few days ago about a series of
4 paintings that depicts stages of a man's life as a Christian allegory
in a Romantic backdrop:
The Voyage of Life by Thomas Cole
http://www.explorethomascole.org/tour/items/73
#1 Childhood. The baby emerges from the dark canal and begins his
new life. The water is calm and smooth, the surroundings innocent and peaceful. The boy’s guardian angel grasps the tiller and controls the boat.
#2 Youth. The water is still smooth, the surroundings
still peaceful and lush. But now the angel leaves the boy, who eagerly
takes the tiller himself and sets off on his own towards his lofty
dreams and ambitions. It is hard to tell from this image of the
painting, but around the bend of the river the water begins to get
choppy and rough; journeying to the castle of his dreams will not be as
easy as it now seems.
#3 Manhood. The boy is now a man. The vegetation is no longer around;
the waters are choppy; the skies have darkened. The tiller of the boat
is gone; the man is no longer entirely in control, and he prays for
help. The angel still watches over him, but now from afar. The man
cannot see the angel and must have faith that she is there. Cole wanted
to convey the way the dreams and idealism of youth crash into the
“realities of the world.” The ocean symbolizes the end of the man’s
life; he can begin to see it, and the warmth of the sunset hints of
hope in the midst of his trials.
#4 Old Age. The man is now old and the angel returns to
his side. His boat has made it to the ocean. The waters are calm once again. The light is breaking through the dark clouds. The man’s faith
has sustained him throughout the trials of life and now the beauty of
eternity stretches out before him.
Most of us are probably at the stage of Manhood now, where
we have to constantly remind ourselves, that God's angel is watching us
from afar and we should always trust in Him and have faith that He will
bring as through the trials and challenges.
