Glory {Art} 2017 Scripture Challenge #11, Broken

The Study

At our recent Women's Retreat at church, I learned about Kintsugi. Have you ever heard of it? I certainly hadn't so here is what I found on the web about it:

"Translated to 'golden joinery,' (or Kintsukuroi, which means 'golden repair') is the centuries-old Japanese art of fixing broken pottery with a special lacquer dusted with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. Beautiful seams of gold glint in the cracks of ceramic ware, giving a unique appearance to the piece. This repair method celebrates each artifact's unique history by emphasizing its fractures and breaks instead of hiding or disguising them. Kintsugi often makes the repaired piece even more beautiful than the original, revitalizing it with new life." — My Modern Met

Look up images on Google and you will find gorgeous pieces like this. Isn't it more beautiful with the gold fractures? Truly stunning and every piece is unique of course.

Now take a moment to listen to 'Mended' by Matthew West and read the lyrics as you listen:

Do you feel broken beyond repair? Do you feel like God has nothing for you? Do you feel like God could never use you or that you will never be acceptable or beautiful in His eyes? I am here to tell you that you are beautiful in His eyes! Just as that piece of pottery is more beautiful showing the fractures, you too are more beautiful with your wounds, scares, and brokenness. He doesn't look at what we have done; He looks at what Christ has done on the cross.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

If you are in a particularly difficult time right now or you know that the holidays are going to be difficult for you, ask God what He wants you to learn. You may not see the way out of your brokenness but lift your eyes to Him. Trust Him and rely on His grace to teach you, mold you, and get you through. How exactly do you do that though when you are so hurt or so worn down? Get into His word! Listen to worship music. KLOVE radio is a great place to start if you don't know what to listen to! Find a good Bible teaching church. Let His people love you and be His hands and feet. I love what Charles Stanley says about brokenness:

"Keep in mind that God uses brokenness to deepen your understanding in at least three ways: 

• You gain a new perspective of His mercy and provision and learn to depend on Him more. 
• You develop a more complete comprehension of yourself. 
• Your compassion and understanding for others’ suffering grows."

So, just as that Kintsugi piece above is more gorgeous with the cracks, you too become more gorgeous and beautiful with the fractures and breaks of life as Jesus works through you and reveals Himself to you. Will you allow Him to do that?

Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 147:3 "He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds."

1 Peter 4:12-13 "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation."

Journaling Prompts

• Share an instance where the Lord brought you through your brokenness? How were you changed by it?
• How do you feel you are broken beyond repair, and how will you ask God to help you?
• How has God used you as you have seen someone else suffering and broken?
• Write a prayer to the Lord thanking Him that grace has won!

The Art

Today I created a Traveler's Notebook page. I am thinking I may do some of this next year so I wanted to give it a try. It's quick, it's clean, and it's different from my normal. But of course, I still had to do some sewing and paint splatters. :)

Thanks for joining me today. Feel free to join us on the Facebook page where some people will be sharing their creations. To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please see this post here. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Blessings,

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