Turns Out, God Enjoys My Company

Capital Fellows
Oct 18
4 min read

By LJ Phillips

Much of my football career was driven by a desire to earn approval from coaches and teammates. It has been an identity struggle from the age of 5 to playing football in college. I always wanted to perform well so people love and like me as much as I delight in being with them. Although, that desire was only a mere glimpse of what I am experiencing now in God.

As the philosophy major out of this year's Capital Fellows cohort, I couldn’t help but quote American philosopher Dallas Willard in my first blog post. In his book The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God, Willard states that “We must understand that God does not 'love' us without liking us… The fondness, the endearment, the unstintingly affectionate regard of God toward all his creatures is the natural outflow of what he is to the core.” This biblical truth has given me peace going into this new season of life.

When reflecting on the classes and discussions we have had in the past month or so, I’ve started to feel God’s pleasure in all kinds of ordinary moments. When I am laughing and enjoying Roundtable with my cohort, He is delighted with me. When I am spending time with my host family, I feel His joy. While I am working at my job, I feel His satisfaction in me. Even when I am being pied in the face with shaving cream at youth group, I know His love and delight is present. His love is not distant, but near and joyful.

I am learning that God not just loves me but likes me as well. He wants to be with me not just by obligation but also because He enjoys me. He has made me intentionally the way I am and He is delighted by my being.

I cannot earn nor work for this delight. I wouldn’t even want His love to be earned. He has shown his delight through the Fellows, MPC, and my host family’s love for me. How could I ever question God’s love for me when it is looking me straight in the face?

He has saved us through Christ because He delights in us and loves us deeply. The more this reality sticks with us daily, the more we can sacrificially love others sacrificially with pure joy.

“For the Lord takes pleasure in his people.” (Psalm 149:4 ESV)

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV)

“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19 ESV)

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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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!

This past week, the Capital Fellows met some of the Steering Committee members over Roundtable dinner. This committee is made up of volunteers and leaders within our church community who serve our Fellows ministry in more ways than one -- leading our Admissions Team, Work Placement Team, Host Family Committee, etc. Please pray that these Steering Committee members will be encouraged in their work behind-the-scenes for this class of Capital Fellows and beyond.

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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.