So we’re not giving up. How could we!
Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace.
2 Corinthians 4:16 (MSG)
We all have scars. Some are on the outside; others are on the inside. We have cracks in our hearts that may not be visible to anyone else, but we know they are there. Some of the cracks look a lot like shame, some regret. Some are the result of stinging words from people who have let us down, some look like loss and deep heartache, and many resemble debilitating fears. Most of us have a few of each. Sometimes we allow these cracks to define and limit us. We choose to focus on what is broken, not on what is beautiful. And when we cling to our scars and our brokenness, it makes it hard to see all that is good and to move forward in life.
There is a centuries-old art in Japan called Kintsugi, which means “golden repair”. Broken pottery is pieced back together using a special lacquer that is mixed with powdered gold. Rather than repairing pottery with glue that camouflages the cracks, the gold emphasizes them by creating beautiful golden seams. This Kintsugi art celebrates the history of each artifact, the good parts and the bad, the wholeness and the brokenness. And the most broken pieces of pottery ultimately become the most stunning works of art.
The same is true for you! You don’t need to hide your brokenness. Your cracks and your scars can be made into something beautiful by a Savior who restores. He is not only the Potter who dreamed you up and created you (Isaiah 64:8), but He is also in the business of making broken things whole and old things new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Your story will be filled with good parts and bad parts, with wholeness and brokenness, but Jesus will take whatever you give Him. He will fill all your cracks with His love and His grace. He will soften your pain, strengthen you, and create a stunning work of art. You just need to hand Him all the pieces! You are loved!