How dark can humanity get when they walk away from and deny their Father in heaven? Is it any darker now than when Jesus stepped out of eternity into the midst of humanity? Is the human spirit darker or the wages of sin greater?
The last two nights I had the extreme pleasure of hanging out with our brothers and sisters at the I.V. Church in the middle of the Halloween chaos that Isla Vista has become known for litterally around the world. As a case in point, one of Phil's exchange students from Swedens stated goal was to have his stay here in Santa Barbara coincide with I.V.'s flesh fest.
However in the middle of this darkness there is a group of believers that are falling to their knees and begging the God of heaven to once again break into the darkness and bring the light of heaven. A group of believers that have allowed themselves to be captivated by the same Jesus that stepped down from heaven to be a light in the darkness. They like Jesus are giving up their lives to serve people that often take them granted or abuse their love and kindness.
But in the middle are stories of life too. I met Jim while I was there. Jim moved to Santa Barbara from San Diego to go to school here. While here he met some locals that attend I.V. Church. He was invited on a body boarding trip where Jesus opened his eyes and he has never turned back. With a light in his eyes he told me about the later salvation of his brother as Jesus began working in his whole family, and all the while I.V. raged around us. The second night he had a significant encounter with a friend he knew from the beach. After the friend disappeared back into the sea of selfishness he grabbed a few of us and we prayed for his salvation and that the Lord of the harvest would protect what was planted and cause the seed to bear fruit. And all around us both the light and and the darkness became more real.
A little later Kathy who is one of the "older" ones came and told me that she and another woman had the opportunity to pray with a couple of the young guys that had opened up their hearts. One of the young mans lips guivered as he mouthed a noisless prayer that only our Father heard. They prayed for the Holy Spirit to come into his live and change him. Lord may you free this young man from the selfishness of his ways and bring him home. While they prayed the light became brighter and the darkness subsided.
All the while the smell of hamburgers rose above the reek of alcohol, pot, vomit and cigarettes like an incense of grace and mercy. The servants were handing out food to throngs of people partying with vacant eyes. A hamburger for this one, a bottle of water for that one, oh that one needs a bucket to puke in. Quick, somebody hold back her hair. Smile at her friends that are trying to comfort her. Duck inside and grab some toilet paper so she can wipe the mess from her face. See the gratitude in the eyes of her friends and tell them that's why we're here. To show them that they are loved and to provide a safe island in the middle of the sea of selfishness. Oh Lord, give us more love for your lost children. Come in power to rescue those that are perishing. Send us out in the power of your Spirit and bring salvation.
As I looked around I noticed ours wasn't the only story. A saint here, a saint there, all sharing the love of Jesus through a conversation, a prayer, a smile or perhaps a hamburger. As I watched the darkness dimmed as points of light became brighter and brighter throughout the crowd. The light is piercing the darkness and I was priviledged to play a small part.
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood. John 1:5
