David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

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In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and annual staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in congregations in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. I’ve retired now and serve part time as a Congregational Support Specialist for the Texas District of the LCMS. I also provide coaching and leadership training through various PLI cohorts and with individual congregations and organizations. David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He is an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David” He also publishes a devotional blog DavidBahn-Reflections.com. He and Diane live in Cypress Texas and enjoy visiting their grandchildren who live in the United States and Germany. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991. Diane, his wife, is now retired from PLI (PLIleadership.org). They have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. They look are working with PLI International training pastors and wives of the ELVD Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania. David’s personal mission statement is “Leading people to realize Jesus’ calling and plans for their lives.”

Who are you?

 Cross-Topped Cemetery Gate

  Ephesians 1:11-12 [The Message]

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

There is a delightful story in Acts 19:

13Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15(One day) the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 16Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

“Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” It’s a great question. It is in Christ that we find out who we really are. Not someone else’s Christ, but The Lord Jesus Christ: Himself manifest to us and living in our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit.

There are so many ways that identity can be tested; whether by temptation, distraction, discouragement and suffering, or by our own neglect. In each case we are all too easily led to take our eyes off God’s work in our lives and the lives of others. In fact, however, the whole world is being shaped by God’s intent and purpose in Christ: sons of Sceva, or children of men. Whether we recognize it or not Christ’s claim on us is being advanced, and one day “every knee will bow” to Him.

His purpose, however, is not our subservience, nor simply His just due. His purpose is for our eternal blessing. And only in Christ is that eternal well-being established and realized. If we consider who we are in Christ, we will seek to honor Him by how we serve our neighbor, and how we love God. These are the two great commandments of God, and the delight and purpose of all who call Him Father. For it is in Christ’s redemption that we find our true place: “to live under Him in His Kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness; even as He has risen from the dead, and lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

 

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