“Well” is my word of the year and I wondered this month about how “well” is used throughout the Bible. So far this year I have been discovering “well” as a place of water. Picture an actual well with a bucket kind of visual.
Depending on the version of the Bible, well can be read anywhere from 300-600 times. Most references refer to wells that provided water. Another use is the familiar verse, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25: 21.
Wells of course, were places to supply water but also served as a place of social gathering. A source of meeting someone in community and receiving strength and renewal. For example, Jacob met Rachel at a well where she came to water her father Laban’s flock of sheep (Gen 29:1-11). Moses, too, met his future wife, Zipporah, at a well when she came with her sisters to water their father’s flock (Exodus 2:15-22).
After Hagar fled from Sarai, an angel of the Lord appeared to her at a well where he revealed to her the name of her son Ishmael and promised her a multitude of offspring (Gen 16:6-14). Later, when Hagar and Ishmael had been cast out into the wilderness of Beersheba and their water supply was gone, “God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink” (Gen 21:19).
And of course, Jesus met the woman at Jacob’s well. “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4: 13-14
Wells are places of transformation.
These Bible stories remind me to be intentional with “Well.” To seek and find those places that give life. Life to me; life to others. To pay attention to where I see God. To be open to be transformed by the wells in my life. To drink deeply from God’s living water. I remember even when I am very dry and thirsty, God meets me where I am. May I continue to meet God at every well.
As I wondered and visualized these Biblical stories, I remembered our trip to Israel in 2015.
The tour bus drove us east from Jerusalem, leaving the noisy busyness of a major city on a two-lane road snaking through the Judean desert heading towards Jericho.
“This is the land where Jesus entered for his 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by the devil,” said our guide. “This place also served as a refuge for David when he hid from Saul.”
The landscape was not very inviting. This was not the territory I would go for a pleasant retreat, but I could see many outcroppings providing places to disappear from an enemy.
The terrain of the Judean desert surprised me. I expected to see vast rolling dunes looking like shortbread cookies against a sharp blue sky. I thought the land would be dotted with an occasional oasis of green palm trees and wells bubbling with refreshing water. There would be small caravans of camels being led by nomads dressed in flowing garments. You know like a scene from a movie.
Instead, the wilderness stood empty. No clear vistas. No colors. Nothing but dreary beige space.
We stopped briefly at a small parking turn out to stretch our legs. As I stepped out of the air-conditioned bus I stepped into a furnace of arid heat. The air void of water sapped the moisture from my lips. Endless dull sandy hills with jagged cliffs surrounded our view.
How could anyone survive in this environment? Our guide told us about the Bedouins who still lived here. Though the government in Israel has forced some Bedouins into settlements, small groups still travel the Judean wilderness with small herds of sheep and goats.
“To live in the wilderness,” our guide said, “they know where the water is hidden. They also follow well-known routes as they move. And they pay attention to the subtle clues to where life is found.”
They know where the water is hidden. Sometimes what we need most to refresh our soul isn’t as visible as a well. Sometimes we have to pay attention to the subtle clues God is inviting us to discover. Where in the past have I received spiritual nourishment? What gives me life? Where can I meet God?
Well as a word of the year is inviting me to linger with God beside this holy well. I do feel the invitation to explore other meanings/images of this word but the visual of well in a wilderness providing refreshing water continues to resonate with my heart. Where to next? I don’t know but I am sure God will be there, teaching, guiding, and loving with God’s living water.
Do you have a favorite bible story with “well” or your word of the year?
I love your admonition to be intentional in looking for our wells, the places that give us life! I will put some thought into that and make my way to some of those wells this week if I can. Thanks, Jean.
I find the word intention more and more in my spiritual practices. Keeps me awake and aware!
We begin the year with NO idea of all that God wants to do and teach!!
Yes we do have a God of surprises and though I like certainty I sure enjoy His surprises too.!!
“Well” is certainly providing you much material to ponder, Jean! The refreshing, life-giving water of God’s Word has ministered to me over and over when I’ve found myself in the parched land of difficult circumstances. Praise God he shows us where the water of his refreshing is hidden!
Oh yes, Nancy – this is quite the word so far and I sense more to come. Isn’t the image of water and well so powerful and soothing?
You chose such a perfect word for the year in “well,” Jean. I do believe that the Lord has much to reveal to you throughout the year as you see it pop up again and again in different contexts and situations. When I contemplate my word, “surrender,” it encourages me to seek God each and every day in humility and obedience to Him.
Blessings!
It’s have been a fun word to play around with and. yet I feel it changing and calling me in a new direction. I will continue to follow its path. Surrender is a powerful word, Martha = may it lead you too to new pastures of love and rest!
thank you jean….i think God is well pleased that you are contemplating on the word He has given you…not just have it in your hand but actually chewing it…swallowing it and digesting it in order for the word to nourish you….
peace
You are always so faithful to comment, Pat. I sure do appreciate your insight and response. And thank you for your encouragement to continue to chew on this word. Yes it is nourishing me in ways yet unknown too. Blessings!!