Pottery making: How God shapes broken vessels

Are you feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges? Are family issues, career struggles, or addiction making you feel broken? Take a moment to reflect on your current state. Life can often be like a clay vessel, seemingly shattered and irreparable.

But here is a reminder: wait to lose hope. There is a remarkable analogy in the ancient art of pottery making.

Imagine yourself as the clay and God as the skilled potter. Despite the cracks and imperfections, He specializes in shaping broken vessels into something beautiful and purposeful.

This article will explore the profound connection between pottery-making and restoring broken lives through the hands of the Divine Potter.

Kintsugi

You might find it hard to grasp that God, as a Potter, can restore your brokenness. Divine restoration may seem abstract or distant, leaving you skeptical about the possibility of renewal in your life. However, consider the art of kintsugi, a tangible and relatable concept that mirrors the transformative power of healing and restoration.

Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese method of repairing broken pottery. Instead of concealing the fractures, artisans use lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum to mend the broken pieces. The result is a piece of art that not only bears the scars of its past. It also becomes more beautiful and valuable through the process.

In this ancient practice, brokenness is not hidden or discarded. Instead, it is embraced and elevated. The cracks are turned into veins of gold, creating a new, unique beauty. Just like kintsugi, God's restoration process may not erase the scars of your past but transform them into something valuable and meaningful.

How God shapes broken vessels

God is like a skilled Potter, ready to shape your broken vessel into something beautiful, but here is the catch – He does it only if you allow Him to. It is a choice you must make to entrust your brokenness into His hands.

The Potter does not force the clay into a new form. Similarly, God respects your free will. He waits for your consent, patiently offering His guidance and craftsmanship. If you are willing to be molded, the Potter's hands will delicately work on the cracks and imperfections, transforming your brokenness into a vessel of purpose and significance.

However, the choice is yours to make. You must decide whether to surrender the shattered pieces of your life to the Potter's hands. It is an invitation to allow God's transformative power to take effect, mending what is broken and crafting a new narrative for your existence. The Potter is ready and willing – the question is, will you let Him shape your broken vessel into a masterpiece?

If so, you can do the following ways to choose restoration:

1. Admit your brokenness and need for restoration

Begin by admitting your brokenness and acknowledging the need for healing. It is a straightforward yet crucial step in the process. Take an honest look at the areas of your life that feel fractured – relationships, personal struggles, or emotional pain. Recognize that you cannot fix everything on your own and that you need help.

Admitting your brokenness is not a sign of weakness. Instead, it is a courageous acknowledgment of reality. It opens the door to the possibility of restoration. By humbly recognizing your need for healing, you create space for the Potter to step in and start the transformative work on the broken pieces of your life.

2. Believe in the gift of salvation.

Believing in the gift of salvation is an act of trust. Trust in the Potter's plan for your restoration journey. Understand that salvation is not just a ticket to an afterlife but a transformative power that begins here and now. It is a belief that, despite your brokenness, there is hope for renewal and a chance for a new beginning.

As you embrace this belief, you open your heart to the possibility of being saved from the weight of your past, mistakes, and struggles.

3. Confess and ask to be restored.

Take the step of confessing and asking to be restored. It begins with acknowledging the areas where you have gone astray or faltered. Confession is a sincere admission of your mistakes and a willingness to be open about your shortcomings.

Meanwhile, asking to be restored is an active plea for help. It is a straightforward request directed towards the Potter, expressing your desire to be molded and renewed. This step requires humility and a genuine acknowledgment that you cannot navigate the path to restoration alone.

Biblical characters who were restored

Still doubtful? Look at the stories of these three biblical characters who were once broken but restored like you.

Moses

Moses, once broken and filled with self-doubt, found restoration through God. At first, he struggled with his inadequacies and fear of speaking. However, God chose Moses for a purpose – to lead His people out of slavery. Moses overcame his doubts with God's guidance, confronted Pharaoh, and led the Israelites through the wilderness. His story is one of transformation, where God turned a reluctant and broken man into a courageous leader, showcasing the power of restoration through faith and obedience.

Peter

Once broken by his denial of Jesus, Peter experienced restoration through God. In a moment of weakness, he denied knowing Jesus three times. However, after Jesus' resurrection, Peter encountered forgiveness and restoration. Jesus reinstated him, emphasizing love and commitment. Transformed, Peter became a pillar of strength in the early Christian community.

Paul

Once broken by his persecution of Christians, Paul found restoration through God. Formerly known as Saul, he zealously persecuted followers of Jesus. However, during a transformative encounter with God, he was changed. Paul became a genuine apostle, spreading the message of Christ. His story illustrates God's power to restore even the most hardened hearts, turning a persecutor into a dedicated messenger of grace and redemption.

God makes use of broken vessels

Just like the art of kintsugi, where broken pottery is made beautiful again with purpose, you too can experience restoration through God.

Just as the Potter used Moses, Peter, and Paul for significant purposes, He has a unique plan for you.

God may have plans for you that involve spreading love and kindness in your daily interactions. Your actions, no matter how small, can positively impact those around you. Perhaps God intends for you to be a source of encouragement, helping those in need.

God may also have a plan for you to share your faith. Whether through simple conversations or acts of compassion, your life can be a testament to the transformative power of God's love. Embracing and sharing your faith can inspire others on their journeys.

In addition, God might be leading you toward personal growth and self-improvement. As you strive to become the best version of yourself, you align with God's plan for your life. This could involve learning from past mistakes, pursuing knowledge, and developing unique talents.

Whatever the specific plans, trusting in God's guidance and remaining open to His direction allows you to discover the purpose and meaning He has in store.

Trust in the hands of the Divine Potter, who specializes in making broken things beautiful again.

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