Walking By Faith
By Ethan Ni
I can’t see. I’m walking blindly. I’m searching, but it’s nowhere to be found.
I’m playing a game of blindfolded musical chairs with the other youth group leaders. With a bandana over my eyes, I walk around when the music plays; once the music stops, I try to search and sit in a chair.
Putting on the blindfold felt familiar.
I was once blind to my sin, walking and searching for idols that I thought would give me joy. But God found me. He opened my eyes, let me see my sin, and revealed my need for a Savior. Through repentance and belief in Christ, the Holy Spirit entered my life, giving me purpose and peace in Him.
Although I have sight, I still can’t see what lies ahead.
People have already started to ask what I want to do after the Capital Fellows program ends. I have yet to understand where God will lead me or how He will use the gifts He has given me. I’m scared of walking into an uncertain future without knowing exactly where I’m going. Yet His Word reminds me to “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV). I pray for the faith to keep walking, even when I cannot see what comes next.
The ending, though, is certain.
Musical chairs ends with one winner, only one person sitting. But our story has a different ending. When the music stops, all who believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the cross are resurrected with Him and granted a seat at the table with our Heavenly Father. Everyone gets a seat. Even better, the music doesn’t stop there. It only grows louder with songs of praise and victory over death as we enter into the Gates of Heaven, into the presence of God.
As I walk alongside the fellows this year, there will be blessings and trials along the way for us all. Through everything, my prayer is that we walk by faith – with hope as we approach the finish line – and continue to glorify God as we witness His greatness. It won’t be easy, but He promises to be with us.
When the day comes to enter His presence, each step of the walk will have been worth it.
Ethan Ni is a member of the Capital Fellows class of 2026-27. He is from Vienna, VA, and is a graduate of the Wheaton College. This year, he is working at Baron Public Affairs.
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 2027-28, 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!
Please pray that the fellows continue settling into their jobs and with their host families well. Their seminary classes are well underway, as is Life and Leadership, an important time with some of our pastoral staff. Please pray for the fellows as they find a healthy cadence in each of the elements of the program, and will enable others to experience the love of Christ through the work of the Spirit in them.
Want to learn more about Season 20? Click the button below to read through their bios!
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.
Comments