And thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written,
"Those who have never been told of him will see,
and those who have never heard will understand."
This is Paul quoting the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. I (Alex) read this the other day and it has been sitting with me ever since. At first all I knew was it resonated with me and I didn't know why. I take that back, I did know why: San Francisco is a city full of people who have never been told and have never heard about the real Christ. But what I didn't know was how exactly this verse was effecting me.
So after some prayer and searching, I sat down to hash it out in writing. Here's what I'm thinking...
Do I really believe that students in San Francisco, who have totally adapted to life without God, will not only reconsider Christ but also come to love and have relationship with Him? For some reason, it was harder for me to believe in San Francisco than in any other place I have lived.
I think back to the last year I spent in San Francisco ( I did not intern with Campus Crusade) and all the interactions I had with people that in some capacity related to Christ. At first I am amazed at the opportunities the Lord gave me to speak openly about Him, then I am moved by the willingness of my coworkers and friends to engage in the subject matter but then I come to the point where I say to myself.... "They were open to talk and reconsider Christ but what about coming to the point where they understand the impact of his death and ressurection? What about coming to the point of knowing Christ in an interactive relationship?
I realize now that sometimes I only expected conversation and openness, which seemed more under my control, but had no expectations for results. Results were up to God, I knew that and still do, and if he choose to call someone to Himself, praise God! Yet at the same time I had faint expectations of Him actually doing that last year.
Finally the weight of Romans 15:20-21 hit me: Paul quoting an Old Testament prophecy was more about his confidence and faith in the promise of God rather than his rehashing of truth.
That is my (and Josh's) desire; to have increased faith that God will do mighty works in the lives of students despite the circumstances of the city. Which is funny, because even now I am realizing God did do mighty things last year, yet how much more will God be glorified when I expect great things and then see God meet and most likely exceed those expectations, probably in ways I never even expected.
It is my aim and prayer to own this statement in confidence...
"Those who have never been told of him will see,
and those who have never heard will understand."
