Unveiling Grace

By Claudia Teran, Beirut, Lebanon

Scripture Reading

Psalm 139:1-18

Growing up in a cultural home where the priority was to get things done no matter who was getting it done and where family was more than just a couple of kids, it was easy to lose yourself. It was easy to feel unloved, unseen, and unknown. The older I got, the more I understood that my value was based on what I could contribute to the house. This also led me to compete with my siblings to get noticed or told that I was “a good daughter.” 

Turning to others for validation left me insecure and feeling envious when I felt less. It forced me to compare myself more and more to others, losing touch with who I was completely and never having peace. All of this followed me well into adulthood and even into my life as a disciple of Christ. I compared myself constantly to others in ministry, in prayer, in the excellence of how I was living my life, and pretty much all areas.

Although I knew that my value rested in God alone, I did not understand grace; therefore, I could not accept it. I had to take what was head knowledge and transfer it to my heart. I had to allow my heart to rest on the truth that:

“... I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

 your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Psalm 139:14

As I continued to meditate on these truths, I realized that the only way to stand firm on this is to know God’s heart intimately; to learn to trust God on a deeper level and accept my God-given worthiness and change my daily interaction with others as well. As Psalm 139 begins…

“You have searched me, Lord,

    and you know me.

 You know when I sit and when I rise;

    you perceive my thoughts from afar.

 You discern my going out and my lying down;

    you are familiar with all my ways.

 Before a word is on my tongue

    you, Lord, know it completely.

 You hem me in behind and before,

    and you lay your hand upon me.”

Psalm 139:1-5

God reminds me that I am fully known. There is no need to compete for His attention. I am fully seen and, most importantly, I am fully loved. I am worthy. You are worthy. Even in our messes and with our cracks and scratches, He loves us. He chose us before and He continues to choose us over and over again. God is close to the broken-hearted. He understands our shortcomings and our self-pity. He yearns for us to live in freedom.

The most marvelous thing about accepting grace is that it points us right back to the beautiful, loving sacrifice of our Savior. It turns our eyes back to Jesus and away from ourselves. It reminds us of the purity of His love and that there is no height too high nor depth too low where His love cannot go. And as we learn this, He invites us to extend the same grace to others and participate in His gift.

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”

1 Corinthians 15:10

Questions for Reflection

1. Do you find it difficult to believe that God loves you even though He knows every shortcoming or flaw you may have? Why or why not?
2. How does it make you feel to know that God knows you through and through? Does it bring you fear or peace? Why?
3. What are some places (or people) you have turned to for validation rather than to God? What do you think may help you to better rely on God for validation and confidence?

Today I will

Reread Psalm 139:1-18. Which verse or verses stand out to you? Commit that verse to memory today.

About the Author

Claudia Teran is a single missionary in the Middle East. A sister with big dreams for the kingdom and fearless prayers for God who never gives up on her mission! Her love story is Jesus Christ and her battles are people’s salvation.