Heartbeat - Gertrude

1256–1302

It’s hard to get famous for being humble. Yet that’s what a thirteenth-century German nun named Gertrude did. History has come to know her as “Gertrude the Great,” but she would certainly be embarrassed by that title. She was far more aware of her sinfulness than anyone else was, and she made a special effort to pray for struggling souls.

Probably an orphan, Gertrude joined a Benedictine monastery as a girl. There she showed intelligence and congeniality as she grew. At about age twenty-five, she had a vision—and this set a new course for her life. She eased up on her academic studies to focus on the Bible and theology. Writing in both German and Latin, Gertrude created books of quotations from the saints, translations of Scripture portions, and devotional prayers. The visions continued, and she became a spiritual leader within the monastery and a respected thinker outside the walls.

In one vision, she felt the Lord holding her close, inviting her to listen to his heartbeat. Indeed, that’s an apt image for Gertrude’s life. Her own heart seemed to beat in rhythm with her Savior’s. Her writings indicate an emotional depth of devotion: “O most lovable radiance, when will you satisfy me with yourself? If only I might here perceive the fine rays of your Venus-like beauty for a little while and at least be permitted to anticipate your gentleness for a short time and pleasantly beforehand to taste you, my best share. Ah, turn around now a little so that I may fix my look on you, flower of flowers.”

How about you? Have you been hearing the heartbeat of Jesus? We often make spiritual growth a matter of study, and there’s plenty to learn about the Lord. But what a difference it makes when we open our hearts to him, as Gertrude did. When we allow ourselves to feel a true spiritual intimacy with him, it will affect every area of our lives.

[Jesus said,] “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. . . . I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love.”

Luke 7:44, 47