God Chasers Daily Devotion-#40

So then in the beginning man loves God, not for God’s sake, but for his own….But when tribulations, recurring again and again, constrain him to turn to God for unfailing help, would not even a heart as hard as iron, as cold as marble, be softened by the goodness of such a Savior, so that he would love God not altogether selfishly, but because He is God?…Thereupon His goodness once realized draws us to love Him unselfishly, yet more than our own needs impel us to love Him selfishly.
(Bernard of Clairvaux, On Loving God, Chapter IX)

Bernard was one of the great leaders in the history of the Church. He was an eloquent speaker and was considered by many to be one of the holiest individuals who ever lived.
He grew up in Dijon, France, and at the age of 22 entered as a novice in the monastery of Citeaux. Three years later he was appointed to supervise a group of his fellow monks in the newly founded monastery at Clairvaux. Though he was offered high positions in the Church, Bernard remained at Clairvaux until his death.
Thanks to careful preservation over the centuries, many of Bernard’s writings have survived today. His works had a profound influence on both Martin Luther and John Calvin. It is obvious that Bernard cared more about Heaven’s opinion than Earth’s. Lord, make us like that!