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Genesis 1:1-2 says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."  And Revelation 22:17 says, "The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!'  And let him who hears say, ‘Come!'  Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life."  I first found myself looking at these two scriptures together during a study for lent and was struck that the Bible begins and ends with references to water.  But I also noticed they both mention the Spirit as well.  In the first verse we see the Spirit of God hovering over his creation and in the verse from Revelation, we hear the Spirit inviting us to come and partake of the waters of life.  What can these two references teach us about the Spirit?  The word "hovering" or "hover" is only used in two other places in the Bible and both times it refers to the protective action of birds over their young.  The Spirit hovers protectively over that which God has created.  Does it mean the Spirit will keep bad things from happening to us?  I don't think so.  My reality says otherwise.  But have you ever watched a parent with a child learning to walk?  As a parent of young children myself, I know what it is to be right there, watching, waiting, hovering over my kids; knowing that with each tentative step, something bad might happen to them.  Sometimes even allowing them to fall, get hurt, experience something negative so they can learn to walk and yet never be out of my presence.  So as soon as they fall and cry I can scoop them up and make it all better with a hug and a kiss.  As a created being that imagery brings me comfort.  And remember when Jesus told his disciples he would be leaving them, he promised that he would send another "comforter" to be with them.  God does not leave us alone, the Spirit is always there hovering over us, ready to comfort us whenever we have need. 

And what about the verse from Revelation?  It also refers to the Spirit interacting with God's creation.  This time instead of offering comfort, the Spirit calls us to "take the free gift of the water of life."  This introduces two key themes of the role of Spirit that we will find throughout scripture as we study.  The first is gifts: the Spirit is involved with delivering the gifts of God to his creation.  And the second is pointing us to Christ.  Jesus also offered the water of life to those who believed in him, and described himself as "the life".  When the Spirit invites us to come and "take the free gift of the water of life" he is offering the life that is found in Jesus, the streams of living water that Jesus produces in us.  The Spirit is saying, "come, come to God."  The Spirit is always gently leading us to God.  And the gifts he offers are always freely given and intended for the glory of God.  Comfort and Invitation.  Hovering and leading.  The beginning and the end.  Come, let us learn more of the Spirit of God together.