“Checking in, Sir?” The young woman behind the counter inquired.
John thought to himself, “Of course I am – I just walked through the front doors with a suitcase in hand – what does it look like I’m doing?” But instead, he handed the woman his driver’s license.
“I don’t have a reservation. The airline sent me here because my flight was cancelled. They’re supposed to pick up the tab for a one night stay and then put me on an early flight tomorrow.” John explained.
“Oh, I see, just give me a minute….” The clerk typed rapidly on the keyboard as John’s mind wandered. The last three days had not turned out how he expected. A weekend with his girlfriend had ended in a disagreement. Why did Stephanie keep nagging him about religion? Couldn’t she just follow her religion and let him be? Then to top it off, during a layover on his way home, the airplane had mechanical difficulties. John was now forced to spend the night in this run-down hotel in the middle of nowhere.
The clerk interrupted his silent rant. “Sir? Your room is ready. I’ve put you in room 316. The elevator is right behind you. Have a pleasant stay.”
Without saying a word, John grabbed the key and walked away.
*****************
John threw the key, his wallet, and phone on the nightstand and sat down on the bed. Holding his head in his hands, he continued to replay his conversation with Stephanie – was this something they could agree to disagree on? He reflected on what he knew about God and had heard in the messages the few times he had attended church with Stephanie.
“Is there really a God?” John pondered heavily.
“Maybe. Maybe there is a God, but certainly not one who cares much about me – he’s got much bigger things to worry about, like the poor, the homeless, the orphans, and the dying. I’ve got a roof over my head, a decent job, a good education, and people who love me. I’ve done just fine in my life without God…” John’s conversation with himself lingered.
After some time, John lifted his head and his eyes rested on the hotel key holder, where the clerk had neatly printed John – 316. Subconsciously, John reached out, pulled open the drawer on the nightstand, and retrieved the Bible stored within. A bookmark rested within the book, and John opened to that page. The bookmark was a tattered piece of hotel stationery, with a stranger’s penciled scratching: “John 3:16 – God loves you.”
John found the passage on the page and read it. The words seemed to swim on top of the page. Was God speaking to him? Shaking his head, John tried to convince himself that he was imagining things in his state of exhaustion. He lay back on the bed, rested the Bible on his chest, and drifted into sleep.
***************
“Brrrring, Brrrrring.” John awoke suddenly to the sound of his phone ringing. He tapped the answer button and hazily said “Hello?”
“Is this Mr. John Thompson?” A woman’s voice inquired.
“Yes, this is John.”
“I’m calling from United Airlines. I have the information for your flight. We’ve put you on Flight 316 departing at eight o’clock tomorrow morning.” The agent informed him.
John wasn’t sure he heard correctly. “Sorry, what was that flight number again?”
“No problem, John, three sixteen.” She re-stated.
“Thanks.” John set down the phone, sat up, and turned on the light. He realized the Bible was still in his hand. He opened it once again, re-read John 3:16 and let the words sink into his heart.
He stood up, turned around to face the bed, and kneeled to pray.
********************
“Checking out, Sir?” The familiar young woman behind the counter asked.
John grinned. “Yes, ma’am! You might recall I checked in last night because of a flight delay?”
The clerk’s face wrinkled up in confusion for a moment before she replied, “Oh, sorry, I’m usually good at remembering guests’ faces.”
John considered her statement for a moment. If his face reflected even a fragment of the transformation that had occurred within his soul, he could see why she wouldn’t recognize him.
He was a new man, born again in Christ during a one night stay in a run-down hotel in the middle of nowhere.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16