Shoveling More Than Just Snow
- Capital Fellows
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
By LJ Phillips
This winter, I've been shoveling more than just snow. Capital Fellows has drawn me into deep self-reflection: examining my life story, my failings, my insecurities, my dreams. I've been digging into every corner of my heart, trying to understand who I am and where I'm going. This soul-searching has been invaluable, but as the spring semester unfolds, I'm learning that the posture I bring to this inner work matters immensely.
Pastor Ryan's sermon on Philippians 2:1-11 explored what joyful humility actually looks like. He explained that truly humble people are secure in themselves, in their standing with God, and in their relationships with others. They don't instinctively redirect every situation, experience, and conversation back to themselves.
His words convicted me. I realized that my constant introspection had quietly twisted into self-consumption and insecurity. I'd become so preoccupied with my own inner world that I was missing the goodness of the Lord surrounding me: the blessing of my cohort, my host family, the eighth graders I serve, my church, and the abundance of grace God has poured out.
Tim Keller writes in The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness that true gospel humility means thinking of yourself less, not thinking less of yourself. There's freedom in anchoring one’s heart and mind in God's Word and caring for His people. This kind of humility opened my eyes to things of God I’d otherwise miss while trapped in my own thoughts.
As I navigate the job search and press forward in every aspect of this program, I want to keep first things first: loving Jesus and loving my cohort and those around me well. I am trying to cultivate a humble attitude as Jesus reveals Himself to me more and more. Even in my self-doubt and struggles, it is comforting to know that I can trust the One who redeems and renews His people daily.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” - Philippians 2:3
“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 16:25
“But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” - 1 Corinthians 6:11
LJ Phillips is a member of the Capital Fellows class of 2025-26. He is from Dover, DE, and is a graduate of Davidson College. This year, he is working at The Market Project in Alexandria, VA.
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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.
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Fellows are starting in on the job search. Some are hearing from graduate schools for the fall. All of these things point to life after the Capital Fellows program, which is mostly good. There is also a temptation to become so focused on what's coming next that the fellows lose sight of the here and now. Please pray for them to remain mentally present in the coming weeks and months as we dig deeper into vocation, servanthood, community and leadership.
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