Perhaps you too watched the episode of Antiques Roadshow when an appraiser analyzed a Kintsugi bowl.
This ancient Japanese art form involves mending broken pieces of pottery with gold or silver. The glimmering veins resurrect the ruins to create a beautiful work of art.
Such a transformation offers imagery for what happens when we allow the golden work of Christ to mend our brokenness from failures, sins, and shortcomings. As a result, each of us becomes a masterpiece [1].
But what about Jesus’ instruction, “Be perfect as my Heavenly Father perfect”[2] and all the itemized directives for Christian conduct in the New Testament—all 1,500 of them, give or take?
I can’t possibly measure up to such a standard, so what’s a cracked pot like me supposed to do? Is the pure gold of Christ’s work (on my behalf at his crucifixion, and in my life now) enough to make me acceptable to God, considering my faults and failures?
We’d do well to remind ourselves often: just as family members love one another in spite of shortcomings and wrongdoing, our Heavenly Father does the same.
Note the above verse doesn’t say the Lord has compassion only on those nearing perfection.
Then what did Jesus mean when he instructed us to be perfect?
The Amplified Version offers clarity for that key word:
“You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48 AMP
‘You see? Jesus isn’t requiring angelic perfection; he’s directing us toward full spiritual maturity.
Jesus would also direct us away from unrealistic expectations.
Some think that unless we’re . . .
- spending long hours in Bible study and prayer
- attending every pertinent service and event at church
- serving those around us
- extending hospitality in our homes
- discipling and mentoring others
- sharing with everyone in need . . .
. . . we’re not doing enough for God.
So when is enough enough?
I’m reminded of the time I sat in the pediatrician’s office with one of our children when a young mom from our church, Nicole*, walked in with her infant son. Sagging shoulders and dark eye-circles gave evidence to the truth about parenting a newborn: it’s exhausting.
But this Mama was dealing with even more: another son, age three (whom Daddy was babysitting at that moment), and a full-time job. She worked nights as a nurse, and her husband worked days so they could avoid childcare costs.
Somehow Nicole was surviving on naps here and there, and a few hours of sleep before her shift, once her husband got home.
During our conversation, Nicole confessed it had become nearly impossible to spend quiet time with God in Bible study and prayer, and she felt terribly guilty.
In that moment God brought to mind an image of my loving, earthly father. If I were in Nicole’s situation and said to him, “Dad, I’d come see you in a minute, but with things the way they are right now . . .”
I knew what he’d do. Dad would interrupt and say, “Don’t worry–I understand! I know you love me, and you know I love you. When your schedule lightens up, then we’ll get together for an extended visit. For now, I’m delighted in these quick phone calls.”
I told Nicole, I think our heavenly Father would respond in the same way. (Remember Psalm 103:13 above?) Her heart was in the right place; she longed to spend quiet hours with God.
But in her current situation, it was perfectly fine to postpone such a plan until that debilitating season ended. Our God of grace understood; there was no cause for guilt.
Our God of grace would have us let go of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations.
He’d have us delight in the golden work Christ has done and continues to perform in our lives [3].
And though we do press on to live by God’s wise ways, he would have us embrace the beauty of imperfect perfection [4].
Like a Kintsugi masterpiece.
*Not her real name
[1] 2 Corinthians 3:5; Ephesians 2:10 ISV
[2] Matthew 5:48
[3] 1 Peter 1:3-5; Philippians 1:6
[4] Philippians 3:12-14; Lamentations 3:22-23
Photo credits: http://www.commons.wikimedia.org; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.pexels.com/Tima Miroshnichenko; www. rawpixel.com; http://www.pexels.com/Alexander Dummer; http://www.pxhere.com/Forrest Cavale; http://www.commons.wikimedia.org./Ruthann Hurwitz.
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What a fantastic analogy, Nancy! Just the thought of Jesus repairing our cracks with the purest gold makes my heart sing. We don’t have to worry about being perfect when we trust that God is making us so with each passing day.
Blessings!
Amen, my friend! You’ve brought to mind an old hymn we used to sing, “I Will Sing of My Redeemer.” We can sing together of his wondrous love, boundless mercy, and triumphant power. He loves us where we are but doesn’t leave us there!
You’ve made some wonderful points about God’s patience and his love for us as we mature spiritually. The information about the repaired Kintsugi bowl and your encounter with the nurse brought home the message in a very memorable way. Thank you, Nancy!
Thank you Nancy for your encouragement!
Thank you, Nancy! I’m so thankful that the Lord loves us and understands where we are in each season. 🙌🤍🙏
AMEN to that, Bridget!
Thank you, Nancy. Knowing how much God cares for His children is a rich blessing!
It’s something to be mindful of and thankful for every day!
“We are all broken. That’s how the light gets in.”
A quote by Hemingway, I believe.
That’s good, Pauline! And from someone who was rather indifferent to religion. I’m so grateful that God’s Light showed through to my spirit long ago. He’s made such a difference in my life, providing peace, contentment, guidance, blessing, and more!
Such important words, Nancy. “Our God of grace would have us let go of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations.” Oh how the enemy loves to use both of those things to burden down our soul.
I agree Beth. Satan and his cohorts have certainly used them in my life. Praise God, over the years I’ve learned to let go of some self-imposed standards and how to say no!.(Still a work in progress though!)
Your parallels are always powerful, Nancy, but this one particularly so. I love the imagery of “the gold of Jesus” turning our imperfect lives into masterpieces. And I’ve always thought of striving for perfection as a constant process and an unattainable goal, neither of which should discourage us. Come Judgment Day it will not be so much about the final product as it is about the steps in the path we took to get there.
I do long to hear God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” when I stand before his throne one day (Matthew 25:23). And you’re right, Dave, about the “final product.” The list of good deeds and accolades we might attain in this life–even in Christian circles–will not be worth much in God’s view, if our pathway did not also include acceptance of Jesus as Savior and growth in humility, repentance, obedience, the fruit of the Spirit, and more.
beuatiful as usual and so well written. For some reason I am no longer getting your blog through email and missed you. I will sign up again – in case you see my name and wonder why.
Thank you, Jean, for your encouragement. I’ve hit a few glitches with WordPress myself lately. I wonder if they’re having trouble with their site? Thank you for signing up again!
As I mature I’ve learned to appreciate the journey…glad I don’t respond to life the same way I did in times past. ‘ Not because I have attained [perfection], but I press’, I trust, and when I stumble He helps me to regain my steps. Grateful for the heart of Our Father for his children. Thanks for the gentle reminder.
“When I stumble He helps me to regain my steps.” Love the way you expressed that, RH, and add my gratitude for the compassionate love of our Father!
Amen!
As always, I just love the way you weave gospel truth in a very memorable way in my life. I especially love how you compared God to a father who understands our lives and our stresses. He doesn’t want us to live in guilt. And He repairs and restores us in such beautiful ways. Thank you, Nancy.
Thank you, Patty. I’m praising God with you that He does indeed repair and restore us in beautiful ways!
Nancy, there is so much to love about this post! The art of kintsugi has always been a beautiful depiction of how God mends our broken places with his “gold,” His healing love. And your illustration about Nancy spoke to me. I remember holding myself to such a high standard as a mom of wee sma’s, and just that was exhausting. God’s grace is more than enough. Regardless of our season, we need to remember His grace covers and strengthens us in the midst of our imperfections.
Thank you, Jean, and AMEN to your comments about God’s grace. He is SO compassionate, kind, and benevolent to us!
What an encouraging post! Thank you for reminding me that “Our God of grace would have us let go of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations.” Satan would have me dwell on my imperfections and the resulting guilt, thus paralyzing any of my efforts to faithfully press on. And the lovely illustration of the Kintsugi Masterpiece is such a beautiful way to show that in our brokenness the Lord patches us up with something far better than we can ever imagine.
You have me thinking, Cheri, about the broken people I’ve known or heard of who suffered from addictions, disfunction, shattered relationships, and more. But when they accepted Jesus, and everything began to change, their “beauty” was all the more spectacular because of the preceding brokenness. Jesus does indeed patch us up better than we can ever imagine.
Oh yes, Nancy. God’s golden grace transforms broken pots like us into beautiful masterpieces. Golden and shiny because his beauty shines out! What a thought… we can be Kintsugi masterpieces through Master Potter’s hands!
AMEN, Sheila! It is HIS beauty that shines out of our lives (Matthew 13:43 AMP)!
Beautiful.
Thank you, Anna–praise God for his inspiration!
‘the golden work of Christ.’
Amen, thank You Lord for this ultimate priceless gift! How blessed we are forever by your extravagant loving sacrifice.
And another AMEN for your prayer, Linda. Praise the name of the Lord who has done wondrously with us–Joel 2:26b!
Nancy,
I battle with this. The past ruins the present. It’s so stressful. We all just need this reminder. Thank you, Gary
Oh Gary–don’t we all. Satan loves to plague us; regret is one of his goads! One strategy we can implement against the resulting discouragement: keep our focus on Christ and his golden work of redemption in our lives.
Fight the good fight.
Amen to that!
Blessings Nancy. We are blessed to be clay in our Creator’s hands as He continues to mold, shape, and repair His masterpiece.
It is indeed a monumental blessing! I know that, if left to my own devices, I would have made a terrible mess of my life.