Beauty in the broken

All throughout scripture, we as human beings are likened to pottery. We are as earthen vessels created by a master potter. Jeremiah 18:2-6 says, "Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. 3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. 4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. 5 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel."

Knowing that God is our Potter, however, does not always negate those feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and unworthiness that we feel. When you think of your life as a vessel, created on the potter's wheel, it's easy to think of being useless when you feel broken. Broken and shattered, we try to sweep up the pieces to throw them away. We think we have to start all over because we are so broken, a'la Humpty Dumpty from our childhood nursery rhymes. But Psalm 34:18-19 says, ' The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous:But the Lord deliverth him out of them all."

In Japan, they practice what is called kintsugi, literally meaning "golden repair." It highlights and enhances the broken places of the vessel, adding value to the broken object. It joins the fragments together, giving them a new refined aspect. Because of the randomness of the breaks, every piece is unique in it's own way. It suggests several things in it's use: 1. Don't throw away the broken object. 2. Just because it's broken doesn't mean useless. 3. Broken things are valuable.

Just as the Japanese use gold and other precious metals to put the broken pieces together, the Holy Ghost puts those broken areas together in our lives. He adds value and He sees the beauty in the broken.

Romans 15:13 says,“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Hebrews 4:15-16, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Christmas poem for my LAPC family

In March of 2021, I was as lost as I could be. I had no purpose, no plan and felt that all I had was me. While I had people around me, outwardly appearing just fine, no one knew that I felt dead inside. Then by chance a video came across my Facebook feed, hearing a preacher speak directly to me. Things I had heard before in what I felt was another life, opened my eyes to what had become my plight. As the days slowly passed till I could speak to this man, the words which he had spoken were kept close at hand. Replaying and rewatching clinging to every word, wanting to leave no doubt as to what it was that I heard. Once I stepped foot slowly inside of that hallowed place, the Spirit I had longed for stood stong in my face. As I crumpled in tears in the presence of pure grace, knowing He had kept me protected while He led me to this place. As these years have passed since walking through those doors, He has given me a family here and so very much more. I have friends that are closer than ...
Read more

Where ever you are-I've got a key

"Are you standing at a crossroad wondering which road you should take? And you′re dreading the decision and a possible mistake But the will of God won't lead you where the grace of God can′t keep you You will never be out of His care. Remember that the lord's already there Wherever you are, wherever you're going God is right there beside you seeing and knowing Wherever you go, He already knows what lies ahead and what′s behind You′ll always find He's never too far from wherever you are You are waiting to hear thunder and see lightening in the sky Oh, but God can work His wonders through a still small voice inside Just keep listening and learning and continue on your journey Following the one who is the way Oh, He′s the only road you need to take" I have known the words to this song since I was a teenager, so that is a long time.  I did forget them though.  For weeks I had sat and cried out to God, begging for a way, for an answer that I felt would never come. ...
Read more

Pentecost-it's not just a day it's life

In the world we live in, churches and other religious organizations love to have events they can utilize to draw in the crowds.  Huge productions or special services for Christmas and Easter, special nights of worship with certain well known singers coming in to draw a crowd and the like. The most recent was in honor of Pentecost Sunday, the day that the Holy Ghost was first made manifest among those gathered in the upper room. It is a day that occurs roughly 40-50 days after Easter. This is where Jesus had spoken to the disciples and those who were gathered together to watch His ascension where He spoke the words of Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." That day, He made the declaration to tarry together for t...
Read more