Basilea Schlink, My All For Him, (Bethany House Publishers, 1971).
Basilea Schlink was the founder and leader of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary in Darmstadt, Germany.
“It is the driest times, in the times of greatest hardship, that we may bring Him the choicest fruit.”
“A repentant heart will drive you into the arms of Jesus, for Jesus and the repentant sinner belong together.”
Rev 2:4 – First love
Matt 9:15 – Bridal love
Rev 19:7-9 Wife prepared
1 John 4:19 – Love Him
“Loving Jesus means to lavish on Him the offering of oneself.”
“Only one thing will satisfy Jesus, your love.”
“Love holds nothing back”
“From Peter's great sin of denial sprang the tears of repentance, and those tears enhanced his sight so that he could see Jesus as he is: as the Man of Sorrows, filled with endless love, who can still lovingly behold those who tortured Him.”
The bride of Jesus longs that nothing should drive her Bridegroom from her heart. That is why the bridal soul fights 'to the point of shedding blood' (Heb 12:4).
The greatest gift, the greatest pledge of the Bridegroom Jesus: His indwelling! That is sufficient for us. His indwelling is more powerful than all temptations and hardships and burdens. Then our times of darkness will only serve to join us more closely to Him.
The Dark Love – The bliss of Jesus' presence foretastes heaven. We therefore cannot bear it long now. Therefore He withdraws His perceptible presence and leads the bridal soul along dark paths (S.S 8:5).
Her soul is parched. She sought Him and did not find Him. It became dark in her soul. The Bridegroom's love is truly evident in this. He makes her more lovely and more lovable than she was before. For on this desert path, her Bridegroom far away, she knows her poverty and weakness. Humiliated, she becomes humble. Acknowledging her frailties and sins she weeps over them anew. Her tears are more precious to the Lord than anything else.
She “loved much”, it was said of Mary Magdalene who washed Jesus' feet with her tears (Matt 20:22). It is the way of the cross, of the fellowship of sufferings which revels treasures to us; deep mysteries and infinite treasures which lie buried in the depths of bridal love.
Suffering brings glory – He says 'Matt 20:22' to those who want to know the reality of His grace, to taste His love, and experience the most intimate unity of love with Him.