By Emily Cameron
It’s hard to believe that our first full month in DC as Capital Fellows is coming to a close. When I consider the relationships formed with the other fellows thus far, it feels as though I’ve known them far longer than a month and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the Lord’s providence in bringing each of them to walk alongside me in this season. There’s been no shortage of laughter, teary eyes, meaningful conversations, civil debates and Marco Polo exchanges (think video walkie-talkie) between the fifteen of us.
As I reflect on all that has happened since the last blog post, I’m amazed at just how much has occurred in a matter of a week. With each adventure and experience, there are a multitude of takeaways. However, I will give attention to only a few as I try attempt to keep this succinct (counter to my very loquacious tendencies).
After our Friday afternoon seminar with Bill Fullilove, the fellows assigned to work with student ministry showed up to the church parking lot for the infamous “Dye War.” Let me tell you… nothing could have adequately prepared us for the sensation of having powdered dye thrown into our faces by middle schoolers and high schoolers. See photo below.
Whether it be special events like Dye War, Sunday school, time spent with the 2nd grade kids at Cornerstone School of Washington DC or D-Group (bible study) with my 8th grade girls on Sunday evenings, I am reminded of the joy that comes when we take our eyes off ourselves. As Tim Keller conveys so well in his short book, The Freedom of Self- Forgetfulness, “...the essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less.” It’s a simple truth, and yet I frequently find myself turning inward as I think about my own exhaustion, my own plans, and my own desires.
In the midst of a very busy program schedule, there is ample opportunity for the Enemy to try to make rich and purposeful experiences feel like personal affronts to our freedom. In this first month, I’ve seen the way in which the many roles this fellows program has me stepping into — a student, an intern, a ministry volunteer, a host daughter — has challenged my comfort and independence. In these times of change and frenzy, it has been all the more important to turn to Truth, remembering that God’s grace in our lives is magnified against the backdrop of our own insufficiencies and brokenness. Praise God for that reality!
I am immensely grateful to be a part of this program and am expectant of how the Lord will use this season to equip, encourage, and prepare all of us for the future peaks and valleys yet to come. Together, we press on!
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3
Pictures from the Week
