Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken or chipped items such as pottery with a lacquer that is mixed with gold or silver. The pottery can then be used once again. There is no denying that it was broken. But there is a beauty in the repair. This way items that have special meaning can be brought back to life, and such broken items are not simply thrown away. The repairs also add to the item’s beauty.
It seems to me that this is what our God does for us when our sins are forgiven. Quite often we can feel devastated and broken because of things we have done or things that have been done to us. In those times, God’s loving arms reach down into our lives to comfort us and to forgive us of our sins. God does not love us any less. God does not see our brokenness as ugly. God looks at us with the loving eyes of a Father and only sees us as beautiful. Perhaps the fact that we turn to God in our brokenness makes us even more beautiful in God’s eyes.
I think we all would agree that living through difficult times can help us to grow in life. According to an article from UWHealth from April 2020, research has found that up to 70% to people experience positive psychological growth from difficult times, such as a deeper sense of self and purpose, a greater appreciation for life and loved ones, and an increased capacity for altruism, empathy, and desire to act for the greater good. The actual journey going through pain, agony, confusion, and grief is not fun, and it can take a long time. However, we learn lessons about life along the way, and we grow stronger because of that journey.
You know, the butterfly does not look back at the caterpillar in shame, just as we don’t need to look back on our past in shame. Our past is part of our own transformation in life. Those transformations allow us to change into someone different, someone better, someone more beautiful. Again, they are not easy, but they are a part of the journey.
Back in February when the members of the church council met on a Saturday for a council retreat, we talked very openly about where we as a congregation have been. We talked about old wounds and hurts, and we committed ourselves to moving beyond those things to turn over a new leaf. We are now halfway through the year. I trust that we are continuing to do those things as a whole congregation.
May we all pause, look back, and give thanks to God for bringing us through the challenges of life while we are trying to turn over new leaves.
Pastor Beth
920-562-2853
pastorbmacha@yahoo.com
