Kintsugi, How God repairs our broken lives into something beautiful

I am sure many of us knew what Kintsugi was and just didn't know what it was called (me). The Japanese tradition of repairing or even intentionally breaking ceramic pottery with the intent to repair it with gold. Much of the Western culture sees things that are broken beyond repair and would instead buy it new than put in the effort to fix or repair it. I'm not saying we do that in everything but I do think we have the mindset that we'd rather just rebuy it than repair. Much of the Western culture can afford to do that and even if we can't it's kind of been ingrained in us to throw away that what we perceive as broken. Obviously, there are times when we truly do need to throw away whatever it was that was broken and get something new.

As I've been reflecting on this concept I can honestly say I am grateful that we serve a God who doesn't just throw us away when we've been broken. He doesn't just move on to the newest or lasted thing. He sticks around and puts in the effort to pick up those broken pieces, maybe file down the sharp edges, go through the painstaking process of figuring out where each piece fits, and then get down to the work of repairing it with something as precious as gold.

In Japanese culture, there is much appreciation for handmade objects (I think many of us can appreciate when others have put in the effort to make something handmade) for there is much care that goes into the making of that object, and that care has given that object purpose. However, when that object is broken and repaired, the Japanese see the value of that object enhanced to a new level of appreciation. My Friends, God sees us in a similar light! There is beauty that can be found within the broken. Rather than losing value because it has been broken that object becomes more beautiful after it has been broken and repaired. I think this Japanese tradition paints a beautiful picture of how God sees us.

When we've been broken by life He carefully picks up the pieces and gets to work in rebuilding us. And here's the amazing part, He puts us back together more beautifully than before. Not so that we can boast in ourselves but so that we can know the kind of God we serve. My friends, if we've gotten to the point where we are boastful in ourselves for the work or healing that's taken place we've got a major heart problem. And let's be honest, you haven't truly experienced the healing power of God. Yes, we can be thankful and proud of the progress that has been made and acknowledge the fact that we've had to face and overcome some hard things. Here's the thing, we can't do that on our own. The true transformation comes from the Lord and growing in Him.

I am where I am today because of the work the Lord has done for me. While I am still saddened by my abortion and still struggle with anger, shame, guilt, regret, etc. I have such a different mindset than even a month ago. My friends, when the Lord gets working, He gets working! And He doesn't quit. I've seen such a drastic change in my life because I have worked hard to lean into Him. To get to know Him more personally, to surround myself with like-minded Christians, to seek Biblical healing, and to spend time in His Word and in prayer. I know my family would be the first to say that they've seen a big change in me and I know my Healing Hearts mentor would say the same. There's a light within me that has never been there before and I know it's because of what the Lord is doing in my life and not because of what I am doing.

I love what Isaiah 61:1 has to say, "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners". My Friends, God wants to bind up your broken hearts! He wants to pick up those pieces and make you into something even more beautiful. He's done that in my life and He can do that in yours. Do not lose hope. Do not think that you are so far gone that He cannot save you. He left the 99 to save the one, my friends, you and I are the ones that He has left to go and find. He loves you all the same! And we are made all the more precious in His presence. My Friends, trust the Lord with those broken parts of your life. I know it might be hard, and it's still hard for me at times, but He is the only one who can restore what has been broken. Will you be willing to trust Him in this??

Lord, we thank you that when we come to you broken beyond repair by the world's standards you do not see something that should be thrown away. Rather you see a masterpiece and you are the only one who can make it so. We thank you that there is beauty to be found in the broken, even if we can't see it right away. Lord, you see us. You see all of us, even the parts we can't see for ourselves, and have called us by name. Lord, your love for us is beyond compare and we thank you for your redeeming love! Lord, begging your work within me today so that I can be restored into something greater than what I was. Amen.