In Genesis chapter 1, we find the spirit of God hovering over a watery chaos. In a sentence, He calls into being new life, peace, and Adam. And it was good. Until Adam lost his way. From that moment, a downward spiral of distrust broadened a gap between Adam's sons and Adam's Father. But there was one son, Noah, who was not so bogged down in disbelief. God told him to build a boat, and he did.
Gazing out over the endless horizon of water, Noah watched the dove, hovering, over a watery chaos. Days later, from that boat emerged a new life, and peace. And Noah. It was good. That is, until Noah planted a vineyard, drank too much of his own wine, and lost his way. Again, humanity began its spiral through - and past - Babel. Wickedness abounded. God once more heard a cry from yet another son. Israel.
Israel, unlike Adam and Noah, did not know God quite so well. To them, God seemed distant through the grief of their pain and toil. But God did what God does. He broke the sea open, and Israel stepped through on dry land while above the watery chaos the Spirit of God hovered like a white tornado. From that sandy sea floor came forth a new life, peace, and Israel. It was good! But Israel's physical freedom did not help them escape their mental bondage. They spiraled downward.
Then a man named John was baptizing in the Jordan. Jesus walked into the water and waited with expectation. John relented, and a dove descended from Heaven and lighted upon the Son. There was no chaos. Only life, and peace. Still soon a great, supernatural storm raged above the waters of the sea. The disciples groaned, for no land was in sight. On their mind was only the terror and dread of the abyss beneath. But above the watery chaos hovered the Son. "Lord, if that's you...", called Peter. "It is. Come." And Peter did. Peter, too, walked above all that terrified him until his gaze wavered. Amazement went to disbelief and disbelief to panic. Then a hand was there lifting him up. In that instant, Peter's eyes once again locked with the Son's. There was no more chaos. No more hell. Just love.
Years later, Peter sat, staring at the flickering glow of a candle upon a small, wooden table. Outside, a storm vehemently pelted the landscape. He remembered the helplessness of that moment on the sea, and the impossible speed of that hand to pluck him from the waves. He also remembered the words on the mountain. "The gates of hell shall not prevail against my church." Understanding took root. People must be rescued from the hell and chaos of their moment. Such a task can only be performed by a son - one who knows how to hover.
