Have you heard the phrase “God uses cracked pots?” A wise and funny comedian coined that phrase many years ago, and her story made a lasting impression on me. We all have cracks because we all make mistakes. We sin, make wrong choices, say or do the wrong thing at the wrong time.
Isaiah 64:8 says, “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
God molds us all into different pots for different purposes. He forms us perfectly, but life happens, sin and sickness and grief cause cracks and imperfections, yet God still uses His children. What happens if you put a lit candle in a perfect clay pot? The light only shines in one direction. But put that lit candle in a pot full of cracks and holes, and what happens? Light beams out from all sides.
When we use the scars from the trials and tribulations this world leaves on us to show the love of God to others, God’s love pours out in all directions. No, we are not perfect. God knew we wouldn’t be. That’s why He sent His Son to sanctify us and make us clean and holy before Him. God uses cracked pots and imperfect people like you and me to carry His love into this hurting world.
In God’s eyes, our imperfections are beautiful. A friend recently told me about Kintsugi, a Japanese art. They take a cracked piece of pottery and fill in the cracks with gold, making an imperfect piece beautiful. That is how God sees our imperfections. We are perfect in His eyes when we live as Christ, washed in His blood and white as snow.
Let God use you, imperfections and all. God doesn’t want perfect people. There are none. He wants to use us just as we are. Are you willing? That’s all He asks.
Father, please use us as You see fit. Make us and mold us into the people we need to be to accomplish the purpose You have given us. Amen.