A Landmark Week

The freshmen have now been here for a week, and if this weekend was any indication, many of them are enjoying life here in Isla Vista. The past two nights have been especially rowdy here with the freshmen getting their feet wet in the self-absorbent culture here. I walked in the crowds last night for about 15 minutes, it was tough.

Real Life had a fun dance party that went until midnight, and by that point Isla Vista is in full swing with rockin parties and streets filled with inexperienced freshmen, seniors who have about seen it all, and out of towners looking for action.

As I was walking the streets of DP, I had a couple observations. First of which was that I don't look any different from the people that are out looking for a good time. Maybe to a trained observer it is apparent I'm not out to party or whatever, but just walking in the crowds of IV I look no different from everybody. There is no differentiation between myself and the people walking around me-- we're around the same age, probably go to the same school, and we all probably have goals we want to attain for this year.

Another epiphany I had while walking amongst the masses was that I'm making a choice not to engage in the same activities as some of the people walking around IV. I could easily go in a random house to drink myself to oblivion, go up to a good looking girl (and there definitely was a lot of them walking around last night) and just make out or more. Making the choice not to has defined me, and I hope to lead my freshmen and peers well.

It's nuts. But as I was walking, I was giving thanks to God for molding me into the person I am, and that he gave me the choice to accept the gift of his Son. God loves all of the people that were walking around last night, and I'm sure it breaks his heart that there are people who choose not to accept the sacrifice of Jesus and pursue their own interests over his.

So this past weekend was probably quite the experience for a host of freshmen, as this was their first taste of Isla Vista with virtually no boundaries or constraints telling them to stop. Their choices were driven by curiosity and the desire to be accepted by the masses. For some, this week has been markedly different, as they have made the choice to reject the mainstream IV culture and to join in bible studies across the campus as they strive to know more about what it means to follow Jesus.

I think the decision made by the second group takes a lot more courage, but that's just my opinion. Hopefully that's God's opinion too.