Kintsugi & The Process of Sanctification

 

   Kintsugi, like most Japanese art-forms, is practical as it is beautiful. It is a method of repairing broken pottery or similar vessels. A Kintsugi craftsman carefully reassembles the broken pieces of the pottery, just like a jigsaw puzzle. The cracks in the vessel are not hidden or disguised, but instead filled and painted with gold or another precious metal.

 

   The philosophy behind this practice is twofold. First the craftsman chooses to resurrect the broken vessel, rather than discard it for something new and undamaged. Second the broken places are gilded with something valuable instead of covered up, so that the history of the vessel contributes to its worth.

   The art of Kintsugi teaches that wounds are not condemning, but contribute to the growing value of a well-used and hard-tested object.

 

   In theory, a vessel could be used for so long and survive so many breaks, that it is eventually an item of solid gold and immense value.

 

   This metaphor struck a note deep within me when I first heard of it. I have also witnessed firsthand the incredible emotional reaction people can experience when I tell them of the art of Kintsugi. I think the answer as to why that is, is quite clear. Everyone knows what it’s like to be broken, and everyone hopes that they can be remade into something special despite their wounds.

 

   As Christians we often wonder why, if we are saved, we struggle with sin and pain. There are many things that crack and break us in this life, even when we are covered and atoned for in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Even the most steadfast Christian experiences the pain of their own failings through sin, temptation, and immaturity. Christians also experience the wounds of living in a fallen world. Attack, abuse, disappointment, failure and humiliation haunt us as we finish the work given to us for this time.

 

   One of the most important lessons I have finally begun to understand is this: Our salvation is permanent and perfect, while sanctification is a process. Our salvation is given the moment we accept Jesus as our savior. From that moment forward, God views us as a pure and perfect being, made fully new in the cleansing blood of Christ. Our sanctification however is a process that we must pursue continuously. This is the call to “take up our cross daily.”

 

   Here is the big picture:

 

   “A master Craftsman purchased a worthless broken vessel from a trader at great expense. The merchant saw only the mundane clay, shattered and dirty on the ground. The Craftsman saw what the vessel could become if he poured his own resources and skill into it.

 

   The Craftsman did not feel cheated, for time and process mattered not at all to him. He already fully valued the vessel for the treasure he knew it would become. He saw not the broken clay, but the whole vessel rendered in gold.

 

   Through long effort and toil the Craftsman reassembled the vessel, filling in the cracks with pure glittering gold. For many long years the Craftsman used the vessel, and each time it cracked or chipped, he gladly healed its wounds with more precious gold.

 

   Eventually the vessel was solid gold, polished and pure. The Craftsman beamed with joy whenever he used it, though to him its value had never changed, because he had always valued it as it would become and not what it had been.”