Real Hope: Earthen VesselsSýnishorn

Kintsugi

Have you heard of Kintsugi? Google it and look at the images. It is the Japanese art form of taking broken pieces of pottery and putting them back together with gold. The philosophy behind Kintsugi tells us we can always begin anew despite failures or brokenness. And it tells us that accepting imperfections helps us break free from the obsession with perfectionism that causes unnecessary stress and actually inhibits creativity in our lives.

Consider again the profound imagery of treasure hidden in common, fragile jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7). You and I are described as earthen vessels that carry and possess the most valuable treasure the world has known – the loving presence and power of God. And yet, it is not our appearance or stature or form that draws the treasure into us, but rather it is the treasure that becomes like gold that holds our broken pieces together and creates something more beautiful than we once knew.

What could God do with your broken pieces if you allowed the clay that is your life to remain within the potter’s hands?

Written by SAM FAGAN