Chats on the Drive In

By Callie Bolemon

Is the head-to-heart connection always this hard? These past few weeks my Capital Fellows class has found it so. We’ve studied and dissected the how and why (and sometimes why again). A frequent question is how to merge Tuesday through Thursday (our work week) with Friday through Monday. It often feels as if the pace of life doesn’t quite accommodate slow rhythms, intentionality, or rest well, or even at all for that matter.

As I drove in this morning, I was listening to a podcast and I was reminded again that all things yield to the Creator, even if they’re unaware of their finite-ness. It went on to say that only those alive know of the battle that’s raging, and those who are dead aren’t aware of what’s at stake. Many fall for the mirage of the mediocre and mundane only to find themselves behind enemy lines. Ben Stuart finished with a reminder of the daily race Christ calls us to run. The idea of Christ always beckoning us forward into more was encouraging to me, then I stepped into the non-stop world of DC.

As we find ourselves battling demanding hours and a culture of success and perfection, the invitation from Christ to keep running and pursuing has left me feeling like a kid in the ocean trying to catch my breath before the next wave hits. I find myself asking Him “how” in the middle of the day when I feel overwhelmed and unsure how to do the task in front of me. I find myself asking him “when” as my commitment to the community is pressing in on my independence. I find myself asking him “what” as I try to navigate the world of politics in a way that might be honoring Him and shed light on His character to those around me.

I remember driving around my college campus during a hard season my senior year as the song “God of this City” by Chris Tomlin came on. I found such comfort in the knowledge that the Lord had me. I was nestled in the palm of His hand and under His careful eye. This morning, driving into DC, that song came to mind and washed over me. It took me back as I thought of the lyrics. I find it hard to believe this city that hungers for power, prestige, and independence could be just as much in the hands of my Father as I found Athens, GA to be.

At that moment, the Lord had another conversation with me. I found peace in knowing not only His sovereignty over the city but His sovereignty over the race He’s calling me to run. A race that isn’t burdensome or overbearing, but a joy to delight in, and ultimately a path to peace that might be beyond our understanding.

I keep finding the Lord and me having these little conversations, ones that spill over out of a Friday afternoon class or a tough day at work. I’m realizing more and more that it’s these little conversations that are the building blocks from my head to my heart. As Jesus and I wrestle through the hard and the burdensome, I delight in the fact that I get to do so with Him. And if I’m willing to trust Him enough to look up from what’s right under my feet, I’m finding these bricks are laying the groundwork for what’s ahead. I’m finding that the path is good. Hard, yes. Sacrificial, yes. Understood, not always, but good, because He is a good God who has good things in store and He is more than willing to run the race alongside me.

Callie Bolemon is a member of the Capital Fellows class of 2024-25. She is from Monroe, GA, and is a graduate of the University of Georgia. This year, she is working in the U.S. House of Representatives on Capitol Hill.

Pictures From The Week

It’s not rare these days that two of us show up in the same outfit!

Beth and Thomas hard at work for our RTS papers.

We took some time to have a silent retreat last week and were able to rest in the most beautiful home. Thankful for the generosity of others!

Know a Potential Capital Fellow?

If you know a college senior or recent graduate who should consider joining the Capital Fellows program in 2025-26, please encourage them to get in touch with us. The easiest way to express interest in the program is through our Contact Us Form. You can learn more about the program, including application deadlines, by visiting the Capital Fellows website.

About Capital Fellows. Capital Fellows is an advanced leadership and discipleship program for recent college graduates. Through graduate courses, a paid internship, one-on-one mentoring, and many leadership and community service opportunities, fellows develop and apply their gifts in real-world situations while learning to integrate a Christian worldview into all areas of life. Capital Fellows is a unique opportunity to live and work in the Washington DC area and to be an active member of a supportive community that seeks to serve the city with the love of Christ. It is also a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience in the workplace while deeply exploring God’s design for us as workers and contributors to human flourishing.

Pray for the Capital Fellows

In the weekly gathering of fellows called Capital Commons, we work through four themes: vocation, servanthood, community, and leadership. As we step into the final theme for the year, leadership, please pray that the fellows will receive the call to lead and respond with willing hearts and hands. Leadership that is selfless (Philippians 2:3) and sacrificial (Romans 12:1) can only be accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit. May He meet and encourage these fellows as they take their place as leaders at work, in the church, at home, and in society.

Want to learn more about Season 18? Click the button below to read through their bios!

Meet the Fellows

About The Fellows Initiative

Capital Fellows is part of a network of similar programs across the country. This network is called The Fellows Initiative. There are 34 Fellows programs in TFI, roughly 3,200 alumni living around the world, and more Fellows programs on the way.

If you know a church in the US or Canada that would benefit from joining TFI by launching a new Fellows program. Please contact TFI by visiting their website.