Kintsukuroi, translated to mean “Golden Repair”, is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using lacquer mixed with powdered precious metals like gold, silver or platinum. Once the object is repaired, cleaned and dried, its former cracks are highlighted by veins of the metal running through its form.
To the Japanese, the breakage and repair become part of the history of the object, transforming it from something to discard to a new creation. Rather than trying to disguise the repair, some feel the art of repairing the pottery with gold or silver lacquer make the piece more beautiful and valuable for having been broken.
That sounds remarkably like the message in 1 Peter 5:10. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
God created us to be perfect reflections of Him, but because of sin we all could have been cast aside as damaged, smashed vessels. Instead of throwing us out, God picked up the pieces of our broken lives. He put His plan into motion, sending Jesus to pay the price for our shortcomings. He transforms us into a new creation, something more valuable than we could ever imagine, a work of art adorned with grace.
And that’s still not the end of the story. I’m reminded of the woman meeting with the pastor to preplan her funeral service. She wanted to be holding a fork in her hands as she lay in the coffin. When asked why, she confidently replied, to remind people that the best is yet to come, just like at the church dinners with all the wonderful desserts. Heaven awaits us. And one day Christ will return to make all things new.
Church Extension Fund may not be able to repair all the cracks or dents that appear, but since 1901 CEF has offered competitive loans to assist congregations make repairs, expand or build new facilities to grow the Kingdom. More recently CEF has offered grants, for upgrading technology, enhancing property appearance with paint or landscaping and becoming more energy efficient. A recent grant was to assist congregations and schools to protect their people with a Security Grant. We look forward to working with you for another hundred hears to help spread the Good News of the Gospel.
Bill Burmeister
Church Extension Fund – Michigan District
800-242-3944 bill.burmeister@mi-cef.org