Did you know that common pottery and fine Porcelain are all made from clay. Porcelain clay has a special ingredient and is mixed into a fine paste – then fired at high temperatures – to become a delicate translucent thing of beauty (even allowing light to show through). Rare antique porcelain pieces are treasured by collectors – and may be worth a fortune in appraised value.
Where am I going with all of this? Well … Believers know that our lives are comparable to clay – in the artist’s hands. As written in Isaiah 64:8;
‘But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.’
From one lump of clay to another – as we rest together, in the potter’s hands, through whatever trials concern us, may we be encouraged by these truths:
‘ For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;’ 2 Corinthians 4:6-8
Art for Living:
I recently learned of a Japanese art form called Kintsukuroi (or Kintsugi), which means ‘golden repair’. A common historical tale dates this practice back to a 15th century Shogun who needed a treasured broken bowl repaired. The Shogun’s need, so the story goes, birthed the art of repairing broken pottery by joining seams with gold.
I love the applications we can find – for the works of art our lives may become.
1 Peter 1:7 tells us that the genuineness of our faith, is much more precious than gold. Gold is purified in the refiner’s fire. Our faith is tested in much the same way – in the fiery trials we often find ourselves enduring. Sometimes, they leave us feeling broken.
One of the best ways to heal and gain peace of mind is to live with an ‘attitude of gratitude’. That familiar wisdom appears in a multitude of ‘recovery’ programs.
In Hebrews 13:15 we find further instruction: ‘Therefore, by Him, let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.’
What is a ‘sacrifice of praise’? That’s when we, in our moments of trial, weakness, or pain, still recognize the goodness of our God – and we express our thanks, our love and reverence to Him … no matter what.
Those moments of praise, shining through our doubts, and fears or tears, are the sweetest offerings we can bring. Praise is a source of ‘golden’ treasure. It is of the highest value … and it’s suitable material for a sort of holy, living ‘kintsugi’ – when God joins the broken, jagged pieces of our lives and hearts, and seals them with His ‘gold’ to make repairs that are stronger and even more beautiful than the unbroken design.
In this season of Thanksgiving – we have the perfect opportunity to re-discover the treasures of Praise. It’s powerful!
Kintsugi, does not seek to disguise cracks and flaws but instead celebrates them – not just repairing shattered pieces, but beautifying and illuminating them. We may come to see the “scars” of our mending as part of the Divine Design, and as works of art themselves
Finally:
If we can learn to see the beautiful potential of our ‘imperfections’, as we trust them into the hands of our loving master artist – we may be strengthened and encouraged to endure the ‘breaking’, with hope born of knowing that even this will contribute to the ultimate exquisite and unique design. We might even find it’s easier to love our-selves and others – flaws included.
The power of praise is indisputable. So, from one cracked pot to another – May you remember to use the power of praise in your own behalf – storing up golden treasure. And, may you also experience its comfort, joy, and beauty as (together) we honor our Lord.
Blessings, Love, and Laughter,
Marge
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- What does this metaphor offer you?
- If you have had one – have you changed through your own living ‘kintsugi’ experience?
