Be careful how you conduct yourself. Others are watching.

As a seventeen-year-old kid, I had never lived away from home. But there I was, nervously pacing back and forth in the freshman registration line at Moody Bible Institute. Finances for that fall semester in order (thanks, Dad and Mom), I loaded my few belongings into the Culbertson Hall elevator and punched the tenth-floor button.

That’s when I met my roommate, Dave. In some ways, we were total opposites. He was a car junkie—but I didn’t even own a junker. He loved auto racing while I played the French Horn. He loved rock and roll, and I despised it. Nevertheless, we got along famously. Except when we didn’t. (It was usually me being a bit self-righteous).

Occasionally, we found ourselves taking the same class, like Personal Evangelism. Without hesitation, it was the single most formative class in my entire education at Moody. No other experience did more to launch me into orbit sharing Jesus.

Though I had many great classes with many great profs, no one did more to shape my character and walk with Jesus than my roommate. Like many dorm rooms, ours featured a desk and tall bookshelf that divided the place in half, creating a quasi-sense of privacy. Still, it wasn’t exactly one of the walls of Jericho.

Over time (okay, by sneaking a peek), I observed that no matter how long his homework took or how late the night, Dave got out his Bible and read. After that, he prayed—on his knees. Every. Single. Night.

I thought to myself, "If he can do that, so can I!" His example fueled a lifetime of daily meetings with God. Long ago, I moved my devotional time to an early morning slot. But the commitment—specifically, this idea of praying on my knees—has never left.

A few days ago, Dave returned to the Moody campus, and we picked up our conversation as if no time had passed. Good friends are like that. But great friends—they turn you to Jesus. Like Dave did.

My point? Be careful how you conduct yourself. Others are watching.

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness.   -Titus 2:7

That's Dave on the right: teacher, model, and friend!