With the Olympics in Japan this summer, we have all had our attention drawn to that ancient island nation. Known for its beauty and utilitarian society, it also well known for its various art forms.

I heard about one recently. It is called “kintsugi.” Ceramic bowls are the medium. Apparently they are broken into various pieces and then put back together. Between each of the shards, the artist sets liquid gold.

The bowl is unique. It is remade and in that new state of repair, it is more complex and ultimately valuable. The result is remarkable and cherished by the owner.

When I read about this “redo,” I couldn’t help but think about the many “redos” in my life. Crushed by events or smashed by sin of my own choosing, the shape of my life has often been altered. And most of the time, I have thought that I was the worse for the alterations.

But Biblically, that’s just not true.  Consider the thoughts from Jeremiah 18:4, “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 seemed best to him.”

The potter was shaping it as seemed best to Him.

Life is filled with challenges, mistakes, uturns and regrets. We are indeed made of clay and clay pots get broken. The pieces of our lives sometimes appear to be in shambles. There are too many to recover, too many pieces to put back together.

But then there is “KINTSUGI.” When we repent, change courses and put Him first, God brings out the gold. He begins to pour that precious liquid between the many cracks and breaks of our lives. And soon a much more complex and valuable “bowl” is ready for the Master’s use.

If you happen to find yourself this week struggling with some shards, consider this principle and the work of our heavenly potter. He is anxious to gather together our wayward parts and make us anew (again).

And this time, He is using gold. We matter to Him. He cherishes His children. And He likes His bowls put back together!