I was introduced to an ancient Japanese art form called, Kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired using bonds of gold with the understanding that the piece is more beautiful for having been broken.

I was really touched by the meaning and couldn’t help but apply it spiritually in that God’s also takes our broken lives and in His great care puts us back together. It is a beautiful depiction of redeeming love.

As we endure yet another hurricane and the devastation that is impending for so many people; broken things, broken lives, and broken dreams are all but imminent. Devastation has a way of calling us to the carpet of faith and challenging everything we believe. We find ourselves wrestling with all kinds of tough questions. Will God relent? Will he restore? What possible good can come of all this mess?

Real life situations begging answers to real hard questions. It’s just the way of our world. It aches and churns with an energy we can’t contain. Try as we might, uncontainable. Even so, we are left to pick up the pieces and find a new normal, a new way of life albeit a little more broken, but hopefully, if we are willing to learn and grow, a little wiser too.

And that is the basis of what our verse this week tells us about being God’s masterpiece. A masterpiece! In His great mercy and awesome creativity, He has made us anew in Christ. Truly, our God is personal. He is Intimate. And He is very passionate about creating, forming, establishing, and completing good things. And you, my sweet friend, are a very good thing!

Our theme this week is: Broken and Beautiful. To be beautiful in our brokenness it takes faith to believe God has a better plan for us than the one we thought was ours to have. It takes vision to see beyond the cracks, scars, and broken shards of our life to His power to redeem and create something new with a more fitting purpose.

Just as the ancient Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery with gold is intended to make it a more beautiful vessel—you too are more beautiful because of your brokenness. Whether you have just a few fractures or have been totally shattered, God wants to heal you, mend your broken heart, and redeem the pain of your past.

So what makes us beautiful in our brokenness? It is the presence of Christ in us shining through the cracks in our lives. The places of pain that were intended to break us apart become the evidence of His glory to redeem and rebuild. This is how people see Christ in us, the hope of glory.

Please don’t miss this. There is just too much at stake. God has a plan for your life. Will you let Him rebuild you? He wants to take your broken pieces and apply the healing power and the magnificent glory of Christ to each of them, and piece by broken piece make you more beautiful for having been broken. And that, indeed, makes you a beautiful masterpiece.

Reflect and Respond:

Hugs for a great week and remember, you are not alone. Be blessed and be beautiful, even in your brokenness.