It would be expected when someone lives in a desert that water is going to be a source of blessing and contention. After Isaac had used his father's wells to grow his crops, the Philistines were envious and ruined his wells. Therefore,
Isaac moved away from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar, where he settled. Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died, and he gave them the same names his father had given them. Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. But the herders of Gerar quarreled with those of Isaac and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they disputed with him. Then they dug another well, but they quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah. He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, “Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land" (Genesis 26:17-22).
Isaac gave this place the name Rehoboth, which means "wide open spaces." Isaac was willing to move on from the original place of conflict and found a place where he did not have to contend, for the time being, with his neighbors. And he and his team seemed to have a knack for finding water so they were confident when they moved on that they would not thirst for long-—and they were correct.
I have often advised people to go where they are celebrated and not just tolerated. For me for the most part, those places have been outside the United States. I assumed God would have to provide for me in the States while I worked "over there," but to the contrary, God has provided for me "over there" so I could live here. Like Isaac, I have found places where there was plenty of water for me and I did not have to contend or compete with those who were envious or trespassing.
God wants to prosper you in and through your creative purpose like He has done for me. But you have to be willing to go to new places and dig new wells to find what you need to thrive. Are you unwilling to move on, even mentally? Are you doing the same things in the same places and wondering why God isn't blessing your work? Are you willing to go find new opportunities where you are celebrated and where you will enjoy the flow of God's provision?
God wants to take you to your own wide open spaces so you can dig deep and find the fulfillment and finance you need. He can help you find water in the driest of places, but you have to be willing to embrace change and accept that God is the one who assigns you the wells you need but then also requires that you go find and dig them. Learn from Isaac that God will let you know when it's time to move on. Then it's up to you to either obey His leading and go find water, or stay and continue to experience dry times.
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