- JP
- March 31, 2025
- approved
Monthly Devotion: Beauty and Purpose in Brokenness
PASSAGE: John 9:2-3 (NIV)
"His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’"
REFLECTION:
Some of the world’s most accomplished people overcame what others called “imperfections.” Beethoven composed masterpieces even after losing his hearing, and Helen Keller inspired millions despite being blind and deaf. Society often teaches us to see challenges as flaws or failures. At times, we feel like our struggles or perceived imperfections make us unworthy, but Jesus sees them differently. And what if those challenges are actually a setup for something greater?
Think of a cracked clay pot used to carry water. The cracks might seem like flaws, but as the pot is carried, water seeps through and nourishes the ground along the way. What appears broken can actually bring life and growth to others. In the same way, our struggles are not meant to define us but to show God’s glory as He works through them.
Instead of asking, “Why me?” we can shift our perspective and ask, “How can God use this for His purpose?” Our weaknesses, our challenges—these might be the exact things someone else needs to hear to find hope and inspiration.
In Japanese culture, there is a concept called ikigai, which speaks of finding purpose and fulfillment in life. Like the ancient art of kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold, God restores our brokenness in ways that make us even more beautiful than before. He doesn’t just mend our cracks; He refines us, giving us a deeper sense of purpose. What once felt like a weakness becomes part of the unique story He is writing in our lives.
Let us find strength in God, leaning into prayer and Scripture to remind ourselves of our worth in His eyes, no matter our circumstances. Our perceived imperfections are not barriers but bridges for God’s glory. He can take what feels like emptiness and fill it with love and purpose.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for reminding us that our struggles and imperfections are not punishments but opportunities for Your work to shine through us. Help us to trust Your plan, knowing that You can turn what seems broken into something beautiful. Like kintsugi, may Your grace and love be the gold that restores us, making us even more whole and purposeful. Fill us with confidence in Your purpose and remind us daily that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. In Jesus’ name, Amen.