Living in the Nearness of God (First Love Fire Part 4)
When we speak of encountering God, it's not reserved for mountaintop worship moments or supernatural visions. To encounter God is to be marked by His nearness—to live in ongoing, intimate relationship with the One who calls us close. As Hallie Yancey shared, these moments with God are not just personal treasures; they ripple outward, impacting families, communities, and cities.
Drawing from Ephesians 2 and Genesis 32, Hallie guided us into what it means to be a people marked by encounter—how it changes our understanding of God, our identity, and the world around us.
Encounter Begins with Access to His Presence
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
– Ephesians 2:13 (ESV)
Our story with God begins not with striving but with access. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross opened the way for each of us—no matter our background or history—to come near. Hallie painted the image of VIP access: a keycard unlocking every door in the house of God. Because of Jesus, every room of His presence is open to us. That access is the starting point of every encounter.
God is not withholding Himself. The very moment we turn our thoughts to Him, He is near. And that nearness? It’s not just for a select few. It’s for everyone. The blood of Christ tears down every barrier.
1. Encounter Deepens Our Understanding of Who God Is
“So Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day...”
– Genesis 32:24 (ESV)
In the quiet of night and the rawness of wrestling, Jacob met God. He discovered a God not afraid of our questions, our striving, or our uncertainty. He learned that encounter isn't always pretty—it can look like grappling in desperation. But in that wrestling, God met him with grace and truth.
Like Jacob, we don’t just learn facts about God through encounter—we come to know Him. We realize that the God of the universe is willing to draw close, to engage, and to stay. We uncover new depths of His love, care, and commitment.
As Hallie reminded us, this kind of encounter isn’t a one-time event. It’s a lifetime of knowing Him more—like peeling back layers, discovering His nature again and again.
2. Encounter Gives Us a New Identity
“Then he said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.’”
– Genesis 32:28 (ESV)
God didn’t just bless Jacob—He renamed him. And in doing so, He gave him a new identity. No longer was Jacob the deceiver; he was now Israel, one who had met God face-to-face.
In this moment, God was asking Jacob to hand over his self-perception, his history, and his limitations. When God asked Jacob, “What is your name?” it wasn’t for information—it was an invitation to surrender who he thought he was.
We too are invited to give God our false names, the labels we've worn, and the lies we've believed. In exchange, He speaks truth over us. We become sons and daughters, carriers of His image, people of purpose and presence.
Remarkably, it wasn’t until after Jacob’s encounter that he started referring to God as his own. Not just the God of Abraham and Isaac, but his God. That’s what encounter does—it turns inherited belief into personal faith.
“I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you.”
– Job 42:5 (ESV)
3. Encounter Affects the World Around Us
“So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, ‘For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.’”
– Genesis 32:30 (ESV)
Something extraordinary happened after Jacob’s encounter—he didn’t just walk differently; he named the land differently. His experience of God wasn’t contained. It overflowed, changing the name of a region and setting a prophetic tone for generations to come.
This is the domino effect Hallie described: when we encounter God, it’s never just for us. The transformation that begins inside spills out to others. The more we look like Jesus, the more the world around us takes notice.
Hallie shared a vision for Salt Lake City—that our community would be known not for its history or past associations, but as a place where people meet God face to face. A Peniel. A place marked by encounter.
How Do We Live Marked by Encounter?
We might ask, “What does it look like to pursue this kind of life?” Hallie offered several practical ways:
Daily Devotion: Just like a gardener checks his plants daily, we are called to tend to our spiritual garden each day. Encounter comes from intentionality.
Rearrange the Room: If something in our life hinders intimacy with Jesus, it’s time to move the furniture around. Align our lives to make space for Him.
Honor the Plains: Not every day feels like a mountaintop. But even the flat, quiet seasons matter. They lead us to glory. Don’t underestimate the fruit of steady faithfulness.
Worship: When words fail, worship still leads us into God’s presence. He inhabits the praises of His people. His presence is always worth it.
Remember: Write down what God has done. Keep a journal of answered prayers and quiet whispers. Our secret place becomes a history book of His faithfulness.
Reflection Questions
When was a time you personally encountered God’s presence? What changed in you afterward?
What identity have you been carrying that God may be asking you to surrender?
What could it look like to make daily space for God’s nearness in your current routine?
Let’s be a people marked by encounter—transformed by His nearness, renamed by His truth, and overflowing with His love to the world around us.