I’m not great at parking. Since college (when I drove hundreds of miles in a 15 person van towing a short trailer), I’ve been very aware of my deficiency in that area. When looking in a rearview mirror, I struggle to identify the lines. My method could be described more as wishful thinking than precision. And in the end, on top of looking foolish and inconveniencing others trying to park, my over reliance on my mirror creates damage when I get door dings.
Proverb 27:19 tells us, “As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.” Further Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us that the heart is deceitful.
The Bible is clear about function of the heart. It makes a great mirror revealing our thoughts and intentions, but it’s terrible for guidance. Why? If we lead our lives following our hearts, our perception of the world will be narrowed only to ourselves. We lose sight of the right paths, instead picking ways that look right to us. We lose understanding of the real dangers of the world, as we cultivate only our own images. And ironically, we lose the ability to have true compassion and charity for others, because our view is filled by building up ourselves and not their needs.
Letting our feelings guide our lives creates foolishness, inconvenience, and damage. Instead, we should examine our feelings and emotions and allow them to show how we can grow in maturity. Where we see pettiness, we can grow in patience. Where we see rage, we can grow in forgiveness. Where we see corruption, we can grow in purity. If we’re honest when we look into the mirror of our hearts, we can see a lot of room to grow.
Friends, don’t guide your lives like the way I park. You’ll wind up in places you didn’t intend to be and will look foolish in the attempt. Instead, open your eyes to the will of God and see the world and the hearts He’s placed around you.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” Proverb 3:5-6
And yet, and yet... 
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