When God Moves In: The Word Was With God and Moved Toward Us

Part 3 of the 4 week series: ‘When God Moves In‘

Tips for using each post in this weekly series to draw closer to God in a season when busyness and added expectations abound:

Day 1
- Read the featured scripture in several translations and expand the reading to include verses before and after it.
- Read the blog article and journal some thoughts that come up.
Day 2
- Read the “Conversation with God – Journaling Prompts” featured in the post and enjoy an intimate conversation with God.
Day 3
- Read the featured scripture again, including the verses before and after it.
- Use the “Hair Fire Check” section of this post to engage in a deeper conversation with God.
Day 4
- Use the “Heart Fire Moment” section of this post to walk you through a journaling conversation with God.
Day 5
- Use the “Prayer Starter’ section of this post to guide you into a personal and prayerful conversation with God.
  - Reflect on the week of conversations around John 1:14 as part of your prayerful conversation.

focus verse: John 1:1-3

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.

God’s Pursuit Has Always Been About Closeness

Have you ever noticed that all through Scripture, God is the One who moves first? From the garden to the tabernacle, from the temple to the cross — He keeps taking steps toward us.

That’s what makes our series verse, John 1:14, so breathtaking.
It isn’t just a verse about the birth of Christ; it’s the culmination of God’s movement toward His people.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. — John 1:14

Before we can fully grasp the beauty of that statement, we need to step back to the beginning of John 1 and see what John was really saying about the Word.

The Word Who Was, Is, and Always Will Be

From our featured verses, John 1:1-3, we see that the Word—

was with God from the very beginning,
is the Life-Giver, and
is the Creator of all things.

So when John tells us that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” he’s saying the eternal, life-giving Creator — God Himself — moved in to live among His creation.

This wasn’t symbolic.

It was literal, intimate, and deeply personal.
The infinite stepped into the finite.
The Creator walked among the created.

God Chose Proximity

Paul describes this divine movement even more clearly:

Though He was in the form of God, He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. — Philippians 2:6-7

This was a voluntary act — a divine choice.
Jesus willingly set aside the splendor and privileges of His divinity to dwell among us as a servant.

He came to serve — to teach, to heal, to forgive, and ultimately to give His life for ours. From the beginning, His mission has always been movement — toward us.

God’s Pattern of Pursuit

In the wilderness, He dwelt in the tabernacle.
In the temple, His glory filled the house.
In Jesus, the Word became flesh and walked among us.
And today, through the Holy Spirit, He dwells within us.

It’s one continuous story — the story of a God who refuses to stay distant. Every move He’s made has been toward intimacy, connection, and presence.

This moment in Gospel of John 1 isn’t isolated—it’s the continuation of a pattern God has been revealing all along.

The Tabernacle – God dwelt with His people in the wilderness, choosing presence over distance.
The Temple – His glory filled a permanent dwelling, signaling His desire to remain near.
Jesus – The Word became flesh and walked among us. God didn’t send instructions—He came Himself.
Today – Through the Holy Spirit, God doesn’t just dwell near us… He dwells within us.

This has always been His way.
Not a God waiting to be found—but a God who moves closer.

[Want to do a scripture deep dive on this? Bible Connection Spotlight: From the Tabernacle to the Temple to Today]

Conversation with God – Journaling Prompts

Sit with James 4:8a as a guide for a personal conversation with God. Try re-writing a personalized version of the verse either as a note to God from you, or, as a note from God to you.

Extend the conversation by using these prompts to guide a heartfelt discussion between you and God.

What would it look like to live continually moving closer in fellowship with God? Not distant or delayed, but God already present and you, drawing near to Him.
Where do I sense God moving toward me right now?
How have I been trying to “earn” His presence instead of receiving it?
What helps me recognize His nearness in my daily rhythm?

Sit in conversation with God. Journal what He reveals.

Hair Fire Check

Hair-fire living is often a result of constant chasing. When we chase something, it’s usually after something that’s running away from us. When we become consumed with chasing purpose, acceptance, validation, or even the concept of peace, it fuels hair-fire living. Like blowing on embers, the chasing creates wind that fuels that fire.

Chasing after God might look like performance. Saying yes to things that people see as ‘being a good christian’, or ‘being more godly than others’. We’re chasing approval or attempting to prove our worthiness of fellowship with God.

God is not a moving target asking you to catch up with Him. He’s already reaching for you.

Ask yourself:

When I think about being in intimate fellowship with God, what feels distant?
Where in my life might I be chasing after acceptance and fellowship with God?
What would it look like to stop chasing and realize 100% intimate fellowship with God is already ours without the chase?

Sit in conversation with God. Journal what He reveals.

Heart Fire Moment

Unlike the winds that are stirred up in the chase of hair-fire living, heart-fire living is fueled by the breath of God. We turn toward Him and rest in His nearness,. We hear His voice and His Spirit breathes His power and presence over us.

Ask yourself:

Where might I be striving to reach God instead of resting in His nearness?
When thinking about moving towards God, what feels like an obstacle to acceptance or worthiness?
What in my life needs the power of His breath?

Sit in conversation with God. Journal what He reveals.

Closing Thoughts + Prayer

Prayer Starter:
Lord, thank You for always making the first move.
You pursue me with patience and grace.
Open my eyes to see where You’re already at work around me and within me. Help me slow down enough to walk in step with You.

… sit in conversation with God and meditate on what He’s revealing about His pursuit of your heart.

Closing Thought:
From the garden to the manger, and now to your own heart,
God’s direction has never changed — He keeps moving closer.
Let His presence draw you into peace instead of pace this week.

From the beginning, God’s goal was not just to dwell among us but to live within us. Next week, we’ll finish the journey as we discover what it means to be His dwelling place today.

When God Moves In: The Word Was With God and Moved Toward Us

focus verse: John 1:1-3