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One Life Is Far Too Little
Basilea Schlink
Basilea Schlink (1904 - 2001). German religious leader, writer, and co-founder of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, born Klara Schlink in Darmstadt to a professor of mechanics. Raised Lutheran, she studied at Fröbelseminar in Kassel (1923) and Berlin’s Inner Mission girls’ school (1924), later earning a doctorate in psychology from Hamburg University in 1934 with a thesis on adolescent faith struggles. From 1933 to 1935, she led the Women’s Division of the German Student Christian Movement, resisting Nazi exclusion of Jewish Christians. In 1947, with Erika Madauss, she founded the Sisterhood in Darmstadt, taking the name Mother Basilea, growing it to 209 sisters across 11 global branches by 2001. Schlink authored over 60 books, including My All for Him, translated into 60 languages, and published tracts in 90. Her radio programs aired in 23 languages, emphasizing repentance and reconciliation, especially between Germans and Jews. Unmarried, she dedicated her life to prayer and ministry, shaping interdenominational Christian communities.
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Sermon Summary
In this sermon, the speaker reflects on her decision to enter a sisterhood and the criticism she faced for it. Despite the doubts and judgments of others, she finds immense joy and fulfillment in giving her whole life to Jesus. She emphasizes that Jesus wants complete possession of our lives and that His love is unmatched. The speaker encourages listeners to love Jesus exclusively and wholeheartedly, as only those who have fully given themselves to Him can experience His great and intimate love.
Sermon Transcription
God lives and works today. We can see this especially when he lays his hand upon someone and says in a very personal way, you are mine. Whoever is prepared to answer this call will experience a wealth and happiness in his life greater than he's ever dreamed. Listen to the testimony of today's meditation, One Life is Far Too Little. When I was preparing to enter our sisterhood, a lady who heard about it said, what a waste, such a young girl. During the years of my life in the sisterhood, I've often thought of her comment. And I've thought of it especially at times when my heart was about to burst with joy because I have the privilege of giving my whole life to Jesus. It seems as though the Lord Jesus, who was so misunderstood and despised in this woman's words, intentionally wanted to remind me of the remark in order to receive a different answer from me. Overwhelmed by the Lord Jesus and what he's like, I can only answer with the words of one of our songs. If I could only sacrifice a thousand lives for you, one life is far too little. Jesus stands before us all as one who entreats. He's asking for our love. He wants to take complete possession of us. His love is a jealous love because it is so great. No one can compare with Jesus. Therefore, he is to be loved like none other, more than anyone else and more than anything else. This is our calling, to love him exclusively. Only the soul that has given itself to him completely in love can experience his great and intimate love. If you wish to have Jesus completely, give yourself to him completely. If you wish to be loved wholeheartedly by him, love him wholeheartedly. This program by Basilia Schlenk has come to you from the little land of Canaan. If you would like a free leaflet by the same author, please write to God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85028-4099. That's God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85028-4099. God bless you.
One Life Is Far Too Little
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Basilea Schlink (1904 - 2001). German religious leader, writer, and co-founder of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, born Klara Schlink in Darmstadt to a professor of mechanics. Raised Lutheran, she studied at Fröbelseminar in Kassel (1923) and Berlin’s Inner Mission girls’ school (1924), later earning a doctorate in psychology from Hamburg University in 1934 with a thesis on adolescent faith struggles. From 1933 to 1935, she led the Women’s Division of the German Student Christian Movement, resisting Nazi exclusion of Jewish Christians. In 1947, with Erika Madauss, she founded the Sisterhood in Darmstadt, taking the name Mother Basilea, growing it to 209 sisters across 11 global branches by 2001. Schlink authored over 60 books, including My All for Him, translated into 60 languages, and published tracts in 90. Her radio programs aired in 23 languages, emphasizing repentance and reconciliation, especially between Germans and Jews. Unmarried, she dedicated her life to prayer and ministry, shaping interdenominational Christian communities.