By Camille Roth
We’ve been doing a lot of growing these days as Capital Fellows. Post Christmas break, we’ve launched into a season of applying all the lessons we learned last semester into real-time with a little something called the job hunt; updating our LinkedIn profiles, networking, and job searching looks unique for each one of us as we navigate this season, but the one question we all seem to be trying to answer is, who are you?
Honestly? I feel a bit like Eustace the Dragon.
You know—from that scene in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader where Aslan claws off all of Eustace Scrubb’s dragon scales in a painful, but necessary way? When the scales are gone, Eustace is a boy again, recovering from being turned into a big, scaley, helpless dragon after putting on a golden cuff from a trove of cursed treasure.
This scene from the Chronicles of Narnia really hits home for me as I think about the metamorphosis which I am undergoing this year. This year is a season of learning for all of us. While some lessons have been easy—like studying the Old Testament with Bill Fullilove, other lessons have been hard—like learning to have courage despite our fears.
One lesson which has been especially difficult for me to learn as a new young professional not out of her training wheels yet, is that there is no such thing as the perfect job (spoiler alert!). There can be great jobs, of course, but we will not be totally fulfilled by any career this side of heaven.
John, Martha, and Chin-Chin have been gently, but firmly burning this mantra into our brains as we begin our job searches this spring.
But how can you begin the search if you already know you can’t get the dream job?
What now?
Who am I if I don’t have this idyllic job?
With all these questions rumbling around, it’s easy to let fears of the future, being an imposter, or disappointment overshadow my thoughts and my heart. But I was graciously reminded this week through our wonderful guest speakers that there is strength and hope in Christ, and where there is hope there can be courage.
One of these wise guests shared 2nd Timothy 1:7 with us, which says, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
Courageousness is tough to learn and even harder to practice, but this verse in 2nd Timothy reminds us that God has already given us all the strength and courage we might need through Him. He has willingly and lovingly blessed each of us with a spirit of power, not a spirit of fear.
Though all the growing pains we experience in our classes, community development, advice, and discussions can sometimes feel like peeling off layers of our own selfish ideas, I know that I am being irrevocably changed just like Eustace was when Aslan saved him from his dragon curse.
“It would be nice and fairly nearly true, to say that 'from that time forth, Eustace was a different boy.' To be strictly accurate, he began to be a different boy. He had relapses. There were still many days when he could be very tiresome. But most of those I shall not notice. The cure had begun.”
-- Voyage of the Dawn Treader, C.S. Lewis
Recent Capital Fellows Pictures
A couple of fellows out on a nightly stroll on the National Mall after visiting the American History Museum
Coffee at Caboose between church activities!
Sunday brunch with all the fellows at McLean Family Restaurant.
Everyone tuning in virtually for our guest speakers together after getting snowed in at Orlane's host home.
Become A Capital Fellow in 2022-23
We are now receiving applications for Season 16 of the Capital Fellows program!
THE CLASS IS FILLING UP! APPLY TODAY!
IMPORTANT: SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK AT MCLEAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - Most fellows work in the marketplace - for companies, nonprofits, government offices. Three Capital Fellows work at our church each year as well. For these roles, we are looking for a worship fellow, a children's ministry fellow, and a missions fellow. These are special Capital Fellows opportunities because you are not only paid a salary, but also your Capital Fellows program fees are covered as well!
The Season 16 program year runs from late August 2022 through mid-May 2023. If you are a college senior or recent graduate - or know someone that is - we would love to hear from you!
Pray for the Capital Fellows
Thank you for praying for the Capital Fellows each week!
The Capital Fellows are starting the spring semester of seminary courses, with Dr. Bill Fullilove and Dr. Bill Clark. Please pray for the Fellows as they are step back into class and as they seek to grow in their knowledge of God and of themselves. Please also pray for the professors in the Capital Fellows program that they, also, would be blessed this semester by the Word of God and fellowship with the Class of 2022.
Want to pray for the Capital Fellows throughout the year? Download this handy prayer guide for your phone or tablet.
Benefits of The Fellows Initiative
You probably already know that Capital Fellows is one of 32 fellows programs in The Fellows Initiative network. Capital Fellows benefit from our affiliation with The Fellows Initiative in many ways. One of those ways is that all Capital Fellows alumni receive a 33% tuition discount at Reformed Theological Seminary for 5 years. For more information, please contact us.
If you know a church in the US or Canada that would benefit from joining The Fellows Initiative by launching a new fellows program. Please contact TFI by visiting their website.
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