By Orlane Destin
As we’re approaching the Christmas season, the Lord has been reminding me that Jesus is indeed the reason for the season. It has become increasingly easy to forget about the Lord throughout the holiday seasons. We’ve overshadowed this truthful, beautiful, miracle baby, Jesus, with the distorted man with the white beard, Santa Clause. Where we should celebrate the birth of our Savior, we celebrate the gifts we receive that we've longed for.
But this Christmas season and in my Capital Fellows season, the Lord has been reminding of the obedient attitude of the virgin Mary. Mary, a young girl, whom research says was around twelve to sixteen years old, was called, as a virgin, to bear a son that would save humanity. Thinking of how old Mary would have been, her stage of life and comparing myself to her at that age, I sure would have said no to the Lord. The embarrassment, the pain, the unknown would’ve been enough to get me to quickly deny the Lord’s request. Except, God didn’t ask. He told.
Through the Angel Gabriel, the Lord told Mary,
“Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. You will become pregnant, give birth to a son, and name him Jesus. He will be a great man and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever, and his kingdom will never end.”
After Mary questioned how this could happen to her as a virgin, she responded in a way that only a true servant of the Lord would.
“I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.” In other words, “Here I am Lord, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)
As Fellows, we are essentially interns in the workplace. Pretty much ‘nobodies.’ For many of us, our internships entail a lot of work that isn’t glamorous or prestigious. But what does it mean to have an attitude consistent with the prayer, “Here I am, send me” even in the non-glamorous work? When things begin to feel old and repetitive, will our attitude remain the same? We often point to other places as the mission field, but what happens if we understood where we are as a mission field, itself?
We returned from a wonderful thanksgiving break in places that we’re familiar with. Places where we felt known and seen, where our precious families are. And for some of us, like myself, coming back was a bit nerve wracking. But in remembering my initial prayer before fellows, “Here I am Lord, send me,” looking to Mary’s obedience as an example, and recognizing God’s sovereignty, I followed the Lord’s calling back to my other home at the Capital Fellows.
God didn’t ask Mary. He told Mary. God doesn’t ask for our obedience as though it is something that we can pass on. He requires it. My prayer for the remainder of my Fellows year is that I remain with an attitude of, “Here I am Lord, send me.” That, like Mary, I don’t question God’s decision, but recognize and exalt His sovereignty. For “He works everything out for the good of those who love him and who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Pictures from the Week
Hot dates in the district😍
Steeple Chase!!! Steeple Chase!!!
Quirky silly girls aka best girls ❤️
🎶Going on a trip, in our favorite rocket ship, zooming through Richmond, Capital girls 🎶
Become A Capital Fellow in 2022-23
We are now receiving applications for Season 16 of the Capital Fellows program!
WINTER APPLICATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 15th!
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 have returned from Thanksgiving and are stepping into the last three weeks of the fall semester. During this time, they will be busy writing papers, working, and serving. Please pray that they see the wonder of Emmanuel, God with us, not separately from these activities, but in them. Pray that this Advent season would be a fresh opportunity to reflect on the truth that God has come to get us so that we might re-engage deeply with him in his mission, to his glory and for all time. Please continue to pray for one of the Capital Fellows that is at home recovering from surgery.
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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