Recently our bishop gave a brief lecture on some paintings by Thomas Cole – a series entitled “The Voyage of Life.” You can read all about the author and the series on the wikipedia page.
As the bishop explained, these are very powerful paintings in four parts that show a man in four different phases of life. (descriptions are below each panel).
In the first panel we see a baby in a boat with an angel accompanying him. The surroundings are lush and young.
In the second panel, the boy is set off to control his own boat. He aims at the dreamy palace in the clouds. The water is calm.
The third panel shows crisis. The man is grown, but experiencing the tumult of life. Not knowing what lies ahead, he calls on the angel to help him.
Finally, the man has reached the calm waters again. The angel is close and the man is looking again to the heavens.
–
Our bishop explained to the youth in our ward that we need to prepare while we can for those times when the water will be rough. But to always remember that we are never alone, even through the rough waters.
Thanks for this message. I needed to remember that I am not alone even thought this feels like a “rough waters” time!