In high school, people in the school, community and conference knew me. But when I went to college, no one knew me. I felt overlooked, forgettable and unknown. It was a hard adjustment.

In high school, I sat with four friends in the same spot at lunch every day. Lunchtime was one of the highlights of high school. But in college I often sat by myself in the cafeteria.

When I saw people I knew go through the lunch line, I got anxious as they looked for a table. It was painful when they looked at me and chose another table. But I was grateful when they sat with me.

It was not until my junior year I began to be known and know others. It was a great feeling. I hadn’t felt like myself my first two years.

It took friendships to draw me out. It always takes friendships to draw us out.

One time Jesus was tired from walking, so He sat down by a well. Then a woman from a socially low people group came to get water. Evidenced by her life, she was immoral. She would have been considered an untouchable to the Jews, especially to males. But Jesus moved toward her. He initiated a deep conversation with her.

The Samaritan woman was alone until Jesus drew her out.

Someone in your dorm is alone; maybe it’s you. Someone in your cafeteria is alone; maybe it’s you. Someone on your team is alone; maybe it’s you.

We talk about being Christlike. One aspect of being like Jesus is reaching out to people and drawing them out.

Athlete, you have the God-given ability to pay attention to others. One of the ways God pays attention to others is through you. Be God’s conduit. Sit by me at lunch. Reach out to an untouchable.

Action: Remember a time when you wanted company and someone was there. Think about how that felt. Return the favor.