The Courage to be Young and Generally Clueless: Embracing the Unknown with a God Who is Faithful

Capital Fellows
2 hours ago
4 min read

By Mary Margaret Bargery

You are driving down the road. Your music is playing, and your speed is comfortable. You are pleased and confident, in complete control. As if out of nowhere, you miss your turn. Panic. You look eagerly to Google Maps to restore order, already conceding that you may have to speed a tad more than you’d like to make up the lost time, but, alas, Google Maps is rerouting at a snail’s pace, and, to keep with the speed of traffic, you must continue your detour onto unknown highways and backroads. Your route, once clear and controlled, now looms with cloudy uncertainty.

I realize more and more that life frequently presents to us such moments where, much to our surprise and chagrin, we must surrender our own plans, take heart, and venture into something unknown. For me, stepping into the Capital Fellows Program was one such leap of faith. This summer, my own plans came to a screeching halt, and the Lord redirected my path in powerful and overt ways, opening the door for me to serve in Children’s Ministry as a Capital Fellow. What a beautiful and miraculous thing that God loves us so much as to shepherd and guard our way in this world! And what a gift it is to be reminded of His sovereignty and Wisdom.

With that said, this whole ‘leap of faith’ idea has progressed and proven to be a major theme of my semester. Nearly every aspect of the program has blessed me with some opportunity to convene with the new or the unknown: a new community, a new home, a job, a rigorous program, and each of these wholly unexpected as of five months ago. I cannot say it wasn’t intimidating (especially tutoring middle school math every Monday – that was not on my bingo card for this year). But, in all seriousness, God is so good and so faithful. My fellow Fellows, previously unfamiliar, have turned to treasured friends, my host family to loved ones, and I continually nurture a deepening appreciation for this opportunity to work, learn, and serve. I take this as a sweet reminder that it’s acceptable to find yourself young and a little bit clueless. It’s okay not to know exactly what will happen next, and it’s even okay if that proves just a bit scary at times. God holds us each tenderly in the palm of His hand, and He paves our paths with purpose and beauty, plotting our course for destinations we cannot yet imagine.

So, what is the reader to glean from my ramblings? That is, what’s my point? Welcome the unknown. Welcome the opportunity to bolster your courage and put your faith in God’s plan! He is faithful to work all things for our good, and we need only take heart and rest in Him.

Mary Margaret is a member of the Capital Fellows class of 2025-26. She is from Mount Vernon, VA, and is a graduate of Grove City College. This year, she is working as an Ecclesial Fellow in Children’s Ministry at McLean Presbyterian Church.

Pictures From The Week

Know a Potential Capital Fellow?

If you know a college senior or recent graduate who should consider joining the Capital Fellows program in 2026-27, 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

Thank you for praying for the Capital Fellows each week!

In this season of Advent, please pray that the Capital Fellows will grow in eager anticipation and hope for Christ. As they continue to serve in their ministry placements, jobs, host families, and within their own Fellows cohort, we hope that they will continue to dwell in thankfulness and do unto others what Christ has done for them!

Want to learn more about Season 19? 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.

Don't Miss a Blog Post!

Sign up for the Capital Fellows blog email! Emails are sent weekly during the program year. An unsubscribe link is provided in every email.