Along with being created to be in relationship with our Creator, we were also created to be in relationship with one another. Yet again, however, the rebellion of humanity against God’s intentions has led us into places of deep isolation. This is especially true today, when loneliness is epidemic.

In the famous story of the woman at the well, Jesus plows through social protocols to show love to an isolated Samaritan woman. Not only does he reconnect her with her community; he calls her to a greater purpose and reminds her of the dignity she has as a child of God. To those of us who are isolated, this story is a reminder that we, image-bearers of God, are more than worthy of love. To Grace Church as a whole, this story is an intense challenge to follow in Jesus’ footsteps by calling out the image of God in others and drawing them out of isolation and into community.