Background Passage: Jeremiah 18:2-5; Psalm32:1-2
Life intervened in the past couple of weeks. Finding time to sit down long enough to organize my thoughts into a cogent Bible study just didn’t happen. I did, however, stumble across a four-minute video while surfing the web this week that reminded me of the beauty of God’s forgiveness. So, while I will use fewer words in this week’s devotional thought, the truth is hopefully just as meaningful.
In the 1600s, Japanese shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa broke a cherished Chinese tea bowl. Because he was able, Yoshimasa returned the shattered pieces to China for repairs. When it was returned with ugly metal staples, Yoshimasa commissioned a Japanese ceramic craftsman to do what he could to restore the bowl to its original beauty.
The craftsman took the pieces, glued them together with lacquer infused with powdered gold. The technique, known as kintsugi treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object…something to be embraced and celebrated rather than something to disguise.
Isn’t that the way God’s forgiveness works in our lives. Our sin is like the broken vessel. When we come to the Master Craftsman seeking his forgiveness with repentant hearts, God takes the pieces of our self-shattered lives and puts us back together.
Jeremiah understood this when he heard the word of the Lord tell him to go to the potter’s house.
“So I went down to the potter’s house and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as it seemed best to him.
Then, the word of the Lord of the Lord came to me: “Oh house of Israel, can I not do with you as the potter does? Like clay in the hand of the potter so are you in my hand.” (Jeremiah 18:2-5)
God made us to be in relationship with him, sculpted to do his work. In the hands of the Father, the kintsugi master, we are reshaped and glued together, made more beautiful by the infused grace of God…a grace more valuable than gold.
The Japanese say that the evidence of breakage and repair should be celebrated as a part of the story of the object. It is a part of my story that I am a recipient of God’s mercy. He has put my broken pieces back together time and time again…every time I ask for his forgiveness. That’s why I can celebrate with the Psalmist.
“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.” (Psalm 32:1-2)
I tell you the truth…I am blessed. And that, my friends, is worth celebrating.
How about you?
Love this reminder. We are all broken vessels . . .
Tana, I just saw your comment. Thanks for sharing. All of us are broken, but no longer through his grace.
Blessed indeed that when trials come, He not only walks through them with me, but, also, He teaches me all the way.
Amen
Always enjoy your lessons. Hope you and Robbin are doing good.
Bobby and I are still in Huntsville doing ok, as Bobby is struggling with her Parkinson’s complications.
Just depend on God for strength and His hand on us.
B&B
Thanks, Bill. Please give Bobbie a hug. Praying for both of you.
I must be almost solid gold by now, with all the mistakes and repairs the Lord has made. Loved the message and the fact that we who have been restored time after time still has a story to share. Love to all of yours–Nancy B
Aren’t we all, Nancy. Hugs to your family as well.
Thank you Kirk. I really enjoy your writings. I count myself truly blessed with my South Main family. I feel loved when I am at church. Not only by my Souyh Main family but by God.