athephesus…

Now that I have been living in San Diego for two months and have been on the UC San Diego campus, I have learned the overall spiritual climate of the campus. Many who come to visit the campus that are not from the area talk about two components: how intimidating it is and the fear of stepping out for God. It reminds of the spirit on Nebakanezer. One that says, “keep your mouth shut” and “don’t you dare step out”. The breakthroughs we are seeing on campus have two components: declaration and demonstration in very public settings. Many of the Christians on campus want to keep their faith to themselves. But, we are to be light and salt…seen and tasted.

The spiritual climate of UCSD is like the New Testamint cities Athens and Ephesus, or together it makes: Athephesus. UCSD is a fusion of the cerebreal and the spiritual. There is a strong spirit of humanism that elevates the human intellect into idol status, but there is also a strong hugner for spiritual things…even bizarre spirituality. Hence, a sun god on campus where the largest school sponsored event is hosted: the sun god festival, where thousands gather once a year to celebrate. In both Athens and Ephesus, Paul was very public with declaration and demonstration. It was a colloboration of saying and doing…like peanut butter and jelly…or hummus and pitas. Ephesus was the place where Paul saw the most dramatic and creative miracles. It was also a gateway to Asia. UCSD is primarily Asian.

We are praying for dramatic and creative miracles, signs, and wonders on campus. They will happen because Jesus said they would…even greater than He saw. He is just waiting for some of His kids to declare and demonstrate from their royal position in Him with the full backing of all the resources of heaven. With a place like Athephesus, I am not sure what else will change the atmosphere or silence that Nebby spirit.

So, we will continue to declare and demonstrate the kingdom of God. Praying for the sick, prophesying, calling forth the destinies of students and “theocaching”. Geocaching is the big hit of GPS treasure hunting. Theocaching is simply finding God’s treasure in students. Everyone has God’s treasure…some is harder to see, but it’s there. Pray for us as we continue to step out in the public space expecting the God of the universe to show up.

~ by ibrianorme on February 19, 2009.