A vision

I hear a metallic sound. My first thought is that it is swords clashing in a battle, but then I realize that the sound is completely even. The sound repeats regularly.

I see that I am on a broad, gentle rise. The bare hill stretches very far in every direction and is completely covered in grass. No trees or bushes are to be seen.

The steady sequence of sound comes from very close by. I notice an ancient well with a "screw" that carries the water up from below through the well shaft. It is a very old wooden construction. This screw is driven, like a millstone, by means of a crossbar, by walking around the well and laboriously setting the device in motion. A man is driving the construction and keeps pushing the bar around in a circle in front of him. That is where the steady sound comes from. There is a small outlet from which a minimal amount of water flows, almost drop by drop.

I begin a conversation with the man, who is working hard. He wants to increase his efforts even further in order to draw more water, but the little bit of water that flows into the small channel evaporates almost immediately in the sun. The man is sure that this old well, which had already given much water, will continue to have enough water. But I know: this well is empty, and even the greatest efforts will only be able to produce tiny amounts of water.

He remains behind in his treadmill while I walk a little further across the meadow. After a short walk I see a swampy puddle that forms the top of another well. It is more of a hole in the ground and frays out into the surrounding meadow on every side. The water is streaked and green and quite obviously "turned". It gives off a musty smell, and I walk on, but immediately notice that some distance away a few people are sitting who have dug a small channel through the meadow, directing the streaky water to themselves and drinking it. They are as if in a daze, as if intoxicated, bawling, shouting, ranting, and are obviously in a bad way.

A little further on, a walled well can be seen. It looks like a medieval town well made of stone, with a wooden roof, a winch with a rope, and a wooden bucket for lowering. But a wrought-iron grille is fitted over the opening. It is locked. You can make out the dusty, dry bottom of the well beneath it. Not a drop of water is to be seen. A sign indicates that water is drawn here at certain times, but I know that the bucket is filled with nothing other than the spoiled water of the meadow.

I climb up the hill and arrive at the top very soon. To my astonishment, a gigantic panorama opens up before me at the top. Before me, as far as the eye can see, lies a mighty lake. It is as vast as the sea. I know that this lake is full of delicious, fresh water. An unimaginable amount, enough for every person who is thirsty and wants to come here to drink.

The poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land springs of water.
Isaiah 41:17-18

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the water waters! And you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price!
Isaiah 55:1

For I have abundantly satisfied the weary soul and replenished every languishing soul.
Jeremiah 31:25

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Matthew 5:6

On the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink! Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
John 7:37-38

God has more for you!