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First grade, first day of school, first assignment: copy your name on the board under the teacher’s written example.

First words out of my mouth: “You wrote my name wrong.” First impression: the amused but wise teacher never said. He had printed my name correctly, using both upper and lower-case letters. I knew only capital letters. Yet in my immaturity, I remained certain I was right.

How often do we hang on to what we believe, insisting to the Lord that we, with our limited insight, experience, and resources, hold the answers? We learned this way, thank you very much. We’ll let you know when we need help. And in the process, we miss all God wants to bestow.

The Master Teacher wants to change our name, but far more. God waits to change our lives. We no longer must settle for the bits of knowledge and experience we gain on our own. When we become children of the Master, regardless of life circumstances, we go from ordinary to extraordinary. God transforms us from lonely to never alone. The tempted one becomes forgiven and empowered. The forlorn achieve joy, and the overwhelmed change to overcomers. The Ever Faithful One offers faith. The Source of All Hope extends that hope to all. Our Wonderful Counselor stands ready to direct our lives. And heaven’s Agape Love seeks to make us a reflection of that self-giving nature.

Although I wrote my name in caps in that elementary school scene, our efforts to live in our own strength will always be lower case. Only God writes our names—our lives—in caps.

God offers the best. Never settle for less.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)