Lent - Day Forty

Potato Eaters by Vincent Van Gogh,
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

 They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted. Isaiah 62 verse 12

Listen to 'In Our time' to hear about Van Gogh's life.  I was interested to hear that when he painted 'The Potato Eaters', dark pictures were in fashion.  In was the French Impressionists who brough in bright colours, and Van Gogh famously took up their mantle.  This verse speaks of redemption.  Apparently Van Gogh went as a missionary to work with the Flemish miners in Belgium.  They were not much interested, as their lives were tough, and they really focused on just getting by.  The Potato famine that hit Ireland also hit Belgium with 40,000-50,000 deaths.  Van Gogh was born in 1859, and was in his twenties when working with these people.  He became disillusioned and large lost any semblance of the zeal he once held.  In my mind, this verse is for Van Gogh, and these people.  Anyone who feels down cast and hopeless.  There is hope, and the gospel is what it is all about.

Quote from Watchman Nee - 

"Our old history ends with the Cross; our new history begins with the resurrection."

Question: Have I ever felt my expectations dampened?  What do I do about it?

Prayer:  Your goodness lifts me up and fills me with hope for the future.