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I considered myself a pretty good student in high school—at least above average. But when it came time for a test, that was an entirely  different story.

No matter how hard I studied or how many answers I memorized, my brain went blank when the test was placed before me, as if I had never studied at all. Whenever a teacher announced a pop quiz, my body threatened to have an anxiety attack. Oh, how I envied all those who seemed to never study yet still made good grades.

Then came the day for an important history exam that counted 50 percent of our final grade. My mind went into panic mode, knowing this would not turn out well. I thought about asking the teacher for an open-book test but knew he’d never agree. So, I did the only thing I could think of—I cheated. The first and only time in all my school years.

I wrote some notes on tiny pieces of paper and tried my best to hide them under the test. I don’t know if the teacher actually saw my notes, but he kept his eye on me almost the entire class period. I couldn’t even peek at the answers. I barely passed the exam. I waited for the ax to fall. To get yelled at or lectured. To be chastised and humiliated in front of the whole class.

The teacher never said a word about my cheating, but he knew—and he knew that I knew he knew. I was so embarrassed to face him afterward and would have dropped the class if it had been an option. I barely made it to the end of the school year. And from that point forward, I never even thought about cheating again. Ever.

God’s classroom is altogether different. He asks a lot questions and periodically gives us an unexpected pop quiz. But His methods and motives are far different. He wants us to pass. To do well. To learn and grow. To mature in our faith. And He makes it simple by always giving us that longed-for open-book test. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed. It shows us the truth, exposes our rebellion, corrects our mistakes, and trains us to live God’s way.

Jesus has already given us the answers. When the questions come, all we have to do is open our Bible and allow Him to guide us to the truth.

Are you ready for God’s open-book test?

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)