Breakups, Flowers, and Jesus

God really does know every facet of your heart. He knows what you are going through, how you think, and what what state of mind you are in. More importantly, He knows every detail of what is happening inside your heart. Sometimes it's hard for me to even know what is happening inside my heart but Jesus knows.

Let me tell you a story about a breakup, flowers, and Jesus. Back in the mid-nineties I was living in Texas and was involved in a college ministry that was seeing God do incredible things. We had about 400 college kids coming to our services. Our small groups, which we called life groups, were experiencing rapid growth. God was doing some really amazing things during this time.

Most of the students involved in this were from a more conservative background, but we were seeing God come in powerful ways and seeing changed lives with one encounter with Him. I was learning how God speaks and would often ask God to speak to me with a “word” when praying with someone. Our small group format looked this this: worship, discussion, and prayer and ministry times.

During one small group ministry time I asked the Lord for a “word” for a girl whose apartment we had been meeting at. I saw a very simple picture for her when I was praying. Jesus was giving her a white rose and I had the impression that He was asking to be her friend. During a group ministry time I gently shared the impression that I felt God had showed me with her.

Well, much to my dismay, she started bawling and quickly left the room. Some girls in the leadership team quickly followed her. This was a little Awkward. I was just trying to learn how to hear God speak and did not know if I had just completely offended her with what I shared. There is usually some risk when trying to grow in the things of God.

But, He does speak and He is speaking all the time. God said that His sheep will know his voice. He said the prophetic words are given to strengthen, encourage, and comfort his people. ( Do you realize that it is God's will for you to be strengthened, comforted, and encouraged?) Sometimes these words do not come in the form of picture or “word”. I don't know how many times that God has spoke to me from everyday conversation and at some point in a conversation you just know God is speaking through them. Anyway...back to my story.   

Well, the next day my lifegroup leader told me that I had really heard from God.  I had no idea of what had occurred when I had shared the word for that girl and was thinking I needed to apologize. He went on to share that earlier during the previous day this girls boyfriend, that she had hoped to marry, had broken up with her. He had done this by giving her a white rose and said that he just wanted to be friends. Wow….mindblown.  

That was the same picture that I had seen. Except it wasn't a breakup. It was Jesus standing with a white rose asking to be her friend. I had no idea. The picture and impression I had was not very strong. I was just stepping out in faith knowing God wants to speak to others to strengthen, encourage, and comfort.  She was wrecked by the word. Jesus saw the heartache and wanted to step in and be a friend to her during that time. Jesus, in one instance , said that I know you just lost the most important relationship in your life, but I want to come in and be that guy now. Simple. Powerful.

Jesus knows your heart. He knows what you are going through. He is always speaking. He wants to be your friend. Are you willing to be a vessel that he speaks through? Risk it.