The Voyage of Life
March 8, 2009John 16:33; Psalm 88:3; Psalm 138:7; Ecclesiastes 12:1-7; Ephesians 6:12; John 14:1; 1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6-7
Tags: Jamie Rasmussen, Sunday AM, The Voyage of LifeIn Cole’s third painting entitled, Manhood (we should probably call it “Adulthood”), the scene experiences the most stark changes as the landscape is now rugged and rocky – storm clouds fill the sky. Before the person in the boat, who is now a man, is a steep, swollen stream that, as Cole describes, “rushes furiously down a dark ravine.” The man is shown in a kneeling position, hands folded with a gaze up toward heaven, with a look of absolute desperation on his face. He is pleading to God for help and mercy in his time of need. The Guardian Spirit is now much further off – still watching over this voyager, but not nearly as close. There are also demonic faces formed in the clouds, looming over this frightened man. It is a scene of trouble, intensity, desperation and, finally, hope (for far off the ocean of eternity is finally within view).
