“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” – Philippians 1:6
From the moment I was conceptualized in the mind of God, He began His work in me. In Philippians 1:6, He promises to continue that work until Jesus returns or calls me home. Having the understanding that God found something in me that He could use is very humbling, especially when I seriously ponder who I am, what I’ve done… what a sinner I am… God knew all of that about me, yet He still chose to create me and fashion me into a vessel He could use. I have failed Him, knowingly sinned against Him, chose myself over Him, yet He continues His work in me, crafting me into someone He can use for the cause for Christ.
In Japan, there is an art form, known as kintsugi, where cracked and broken vessels are not discarded, but instead, they are reassembled and glued together with a golden lacquer. No attempt is made to hide the cracks; the golden seams are viewed as strong and beautiful. The mended pottery now becomes a unique work of art that is more rare and valuable than the original.
I am also a broken vessel that needs to be repaired. I am flawed by the sin in my life. God, in His infinite mercy, chooses to restore me instead of casting me off. Unlike kintsugi pottery, I am not mended with seams of gold. instead, I am made new with the precious blood of Christ, which He shed for my sins upon the cross of Calvary. These sinful areas in my life that are covered with the blood of God’s beloved Son are what make me beautiful in the sight of my Lord. Each time I am damaged by sin, God is faithful and just to forgive me and repair me. He promises to continue fashioning me into a vessel, rare and valuable to Him. Why does He not just cast me aside? Because He loves me with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
(from “Have Thine Own Way Lord” by Adelaide Pollard)
“But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” – Isaiah 64:8
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May I always be a vessel of honor to the Lord!
The image of the broken vessel being restored by using a precious, costly metal is such a wonderful picture of what our Lord did for us when we called upon him for salvation. And yet, He continues to restore us day after day no matter how broken we are. He gave me his precious Son, who gave his own costly precious blood to redeem my soul. If there is any honour that I can bring Him with my life, I pray I would bring glory to His name.