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.”

Waiting

Early Morning Waiting in Midlothian, Texas
Early Morning Waiting in Midlothian, Texas

Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV)

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

 

Waiting is not something that most of us do well. Stop me at a traffic signal and I wait only as long as necessary. As soon as the light turns green I’m going to go. And help the person in front of me if he doesn’t tromp on the accelerator the moment the light changes. I want to go. And don’t get me started about unnecessarily-long red lights at empty intersections!

When we face times of uncertainty or we must deal with an illness or job loss with no clear sense of what is to come of it, we consider that to be a time of waiting on the Lord. Moreover most of us don’t enjoy such waiting. We often view it as an annoying period of time (like waiting at a traffic light) to be endured until we can get on with life as we believe it ought to be. We wait on the Lord in a sense as a temporary submission to God’s control, rather than a way of life. And too often we want to gain understanding about the future so that we can deal with it in our own strength and on our own terms, rather than trusting in God no matter what the future may bring.

No wonder we get weary! We’re so busy doing everything ourselves, carrying our own burdens, and making our own way through life. Too seldom do we wait in hope and trust. Too seldom do we do the work of God in the power of God. In times of delay, we tend toward the unholy trinity of fretting, stewing, and worrying, God offers a better way. Isaiah reminds us that those who hope in on the Lord will renew their strength. The word here is variously translated: wait (KJV), hope (NIV), and trust (NLT).

If we are to wait/hope/trust in God, we must view life’s interruptions differently. We must understand God’s interventions in our lives as far more important and good than having our lives simply put on hold.

This requires an eternal perspective, a confidence in God’s goodness and love, and a joy in His salvation. Frankly we don’t ever do that perfectly. That’s why we trust in Him – not ourselves. That’s why we rejoice in God and His salvation: the gift of abundant, eternal life through Jesus Christ.

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