I took the job because it was the last one left on the job board when I rolled out of bed at 10AM last Tuesday. I really needed money, so I took a job as an overnight desk clerk at the Northgate Motel.
It wasn't a bad job. Working from 10PM to 6 AM got me back to the dorm in time for a nap before class. Most nights at work, I waited on a few customers but spent the rest of the night on housekeeping duties, filing, and keeping the motel coffee pot full.
I'd gone to Bible College without any idea of what I wanted to do. As the son of a pastor, it was expected of me. I had no desire to become a pastor, but since I didn't have any other career goals, I figured I might as well get a Liberal Arts degree from a Christian school.
My job gave me more than enough time to study. Sometimes, I'd stroll up and down the sidewalk in front of the motel. As I walked, sometimes I'd hear a TV show or motel guests talking.
One night, I was studying for a test. They were teaching us 'The Roman Road,' a list of Bible verses in the Book of Romans that helped explain the process of salvation. Although the principles were standard for a pastor's son, it was a challenge for me to memorize the verses. I understood the principles, but I couldn't imagine sharing them with a human being.
That night, a customer came in at 2AM. I remember thinking he had a sad look in his eyes. His eyes were none of my business, so I didn't say a word except, 'Room Four.' He took the key and left the office, and I didn't think of him again for a while. I had a test to study for, and I turned to my books without any further consideration of the sad man in Room Four.
At about 3:30, I needed a break from the Roman Road, so I took a walk. As I opened the door, I saw Mr. Sad sitting on a bench in front of his room. As I walked by, he called out to me. 'Hey, Dude,' he said. 'Do you have a minute?'
I stopped and listened. 'Listen,' he said. 'I was just in there, reading the Bible. Do you ever read the Bible?'
I almost laughed because I didn't want to admit how ironic his question was. I told him I'd read the Bible. He gestured to the bench, and I sat beside him. He asked if I believed that God could forgive anyone and that anyone who believed in Jesus would go to heaven.
I was more stunned than anything else. God had given me an ideal opportunity to put the Roman Road into practice. I was still scared, but I was eager to take what God was sending me.
He got quiet, and he told me his story. He told me he had committed a crime. (You may have read about him in the news) That night, he'd come to the motel to gain courage – to either turn himself into the authorities or to take his life. He hadn't ever considered the spiritual implications of his acts, but when he had opened the drawer of the nightstand near his bed, he had seen the Bible and picked it up.
His curiosity led him to read, and the more he read, the more curious he became about Jesus's mercy.
There he was, sitting next to me - and the verses I had just been struggling to memorize came pouring from my mouth as easily as the 'ABCs.' All the fear I'd felt about sharing God's Good News instantly dissolved as my heart poured out God's truth.
By the end of the night, that guest had asked Jesus to be his Savior. I'm proud to say he also gained the courage to contact the police and turn himself in.
As for me, I passed my test on the Roman Road.
However, I also gained a more valuable advantage because I realized that it felt wonderful to share my faith with someone. All my nervousness was gone, and my career path was suddenly clear.
The next morning, I changed my college major to Religious Studies, and I haven't looked back since.