Vincent

While I was in Guatemala I was asked to learn the song "Vincent" by Don McLean. It's a song about Vincent van Gogh that depicts his tragic life as well as referencing several of his paintings most noticeably the work "The Starry Night" as mentioned in the opening lines.
Van Gogh's life was one filled with sadness and misunderstanding despite his yearning to do good. As a young man, he served as a minister's assistant and desired to be a preacher. He even spent time among the poor as a missionary. But these positions only led to frustration. Van Gogh desired serve the Lord through his art that it might lead others to God, but his work wasn't praised until after his death. He had strained friendships and relationships, most leading to his being rejected and abandoned. He was plagued by mental illness that, while ultimately contributing to his death through suicide, brought forth his most recognized paintings.
Mclean's song is tragically beautiful, yet lacking. It fails to give the hope that is offered in Christ. But it is thought provoking nonetheless. Peace




Note: information on van Gogh taken from wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_van_Gogh