Scripture for Today:  Jeremiah 17:9  “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

When I see the form of a heart, I sure do not think of wickedness.  I think of romance.  I think of love.  I think of passion.  It is a beautiful symbol of what I like to think of as the best in human nature.

In the Bible, the heart is the seat of all our emotions and of our will.  It is what motivates and drives us.  When our hearts are right, that is a good thing.  When our hearts are rebellious, we get ourselves in big trouble!

I have often been quite sure about what I have wanted.  Then, when I have managed to receive it, I find that I did not want it after all.  That makes me think of the dog who chases after a car.  He has no clue what to do with it once he catches up to it!

My heart deceives me.  It will convince me that I will never be happy until this or that circumstance changes.  My heart will tell me that I will never be satisfied until I have a certain something.  But I have seen that the anticipated fulfillment is just not there.  In fact, after getting what I wanted, I sometimes am more unhappy.

The only One who really knows my heart is the Lord.  He searches it and tries it.  As my Creator, He knows what I really want and what will really make me happy.  I do not even know.  I think I do, but I do not.  The world is quick to say, “Just follow your heart.”  Embracing that philosophy is a dangerous idea.  My heart is wicked, prideful and selfish.  Better that I follow His heart.