The Art of Kintsugi

March 3, 2025

Chaplain LaVina “Viny” Burns

There is so much to learn in this life and each time I have something new, the Lord seems to plant a correlation between the new knowledge and a great illustration. So, I ask you, “Have you ever heard of Kintsugi?”. It is a Japanese art that when a piece of pottery is broken, it is repaired by gold dusted on the cracks to make it stand out to stress the imperfections of the pottery. Silver and platinum can also be used. The imperfections by painting down each broken line on the pottery, though beautiful, shows to the world that it can still be used and shine in its’ glory!

The Bible speaks of us being the clay and God is the Potter!

Jeremiah 18:6 “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!”

Isaiah 64:8, “But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.”

Interestingly, when it comes to the art of Kintsugi, people have been known to break their pottery just so it can be painted and become worth more. A potter, shaping the clay into his vision for it, can break it down and start again. The creator knows what the piece of pottery will look like when he is finished. God created us to be His pottery – He is the Potter! In my life He has had to remold me many times and redo and redirect what He believes is best for me.

Read with me: Job 23:10, “But He knows the way I take. When He has tested me, I shall come forth as pure gold.” We are painted with gold to show no matter how many times we may “crack”, we are redone and refined. God paints His gold on us and we come forth shining and sparkling for Him. WOW! I wonder if God looks at us and says, “Now that is a beautiful Kintsugi!”

Oh, Jesus, please break me and mold me so I will come forth as pure gold! May my broken cracks show forth my strength and determination to shine and continue to serve You with great artistry. Thank You for the beauty you have created in my life because You have molded and remold me! Oh How I love Jesus, because He first loved me!”

Have Thine own way, Lord!

Author: Adelaide A. Pollard (1906)

“Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way.

Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.

Mold me and make me, after Thy Will,

While I am waiting, yielded and still.”