What can God do with brokenness in our lives? This week I have been speaking to high school students. The school is using the Japanese art of kintsugi to help students engage the ideas of creation, brokenness, restoration, purpose. We have decorated a pot, broken it, glued its broken pieces and planted a small tree. 

Have you attempted kintsugi? The size of the broken shard depends on your strength, enthusiasm, the hammer, and chance. If unfortunate, the pot can be completely shattered. To refix the pieces is difficult, patient work. As I glued my pieces I reflected on God’s work in our lives. Isaiah prophesies God will bring renewal and restoration to those who grieve because of the suffering of this world. He will,  

“Bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendour.”

Isaiah 61:3 (NIV) 

How has God brought beauty from brokenness in your life? Reflect on his steady, patient work. For some we admit it has been difficult. Several of us might say God has more to do. Try kintsugi some time and see how challenging it can be. Yet this is sheer simplicity compared to the complexity of our lives. What grace God has that each person matters so much that he patiently rebuilds beauty from our brokenness. 

In Him, 

Jason 

Photo by Motoki Tonn on Unsplash