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Most people prefer their bowls, plates, and cups unbroken; after all, they paid good money for their wares. For obvious reasons, most people prefer their lives unbroken, as well.
But in the art form known as kintsugi, broken is definitely better.
Kintsugi is a Japanese art form that restores broken ceramics by fusing the pieces back together with a special lacquer covered in gold. The ancient art form is immediately recognizable due to its highly visible – and completely unique – lines of gold running through the dish.
In fact, kintsugi literally means “golden journey” and accurately represents the process by which the value and functionality of a utensil is not only restored, but greatly enhanced. The price of a bowl or plate that has undergone the golden journey is many, many times more valuable than the original price paid for it.
In other cultures, blemishes, cracks, and imperfections are carefully hidden or masked by way of exceptional craftsmanship. But in kintsugi, the brokenness is actually highlighted with precious gold!
In the end, kintsugi not only makes something useful again, it makes it unique and far more valuable. Sound familiar?
That’s what God does with broken lives.
When Moses fled Egypt, he was a broken fugitive. God restored him and used him to lead a nation out of slavery!
When David committed adultery with Bathsheba, he was broken by his sin. But God restored him and brought the Messiah through his family line!
When Peter denied knowing Jesus, he was broken with guilt. Jesus restored him and used him to reach thousands with the Gospel!
When Saul was on the road to Damascus he was broken by the power of Jesus. But the Lord restored him, and used him to carry the Gospel to the whole world!
What about you? How has your brokenness led to God’s glory?
Topics Illustrated Include:
Broken
Life
Mistake
Past
Restoration
Sin
Transformation
Valuable
(Resource cataloged by David R Smith)
