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.”

During the time…

Matthew 1:1

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod…

A tombstone in a Charleston, SC church yard marks the time during which one lived
A tombstone in a Charleston, SC church yard marks the time during which one lived.

 We live in a time of political polarization. The last President of the US and the current US President have been the focus of much political criticism and praise. Accusations fly. Many people today are worried – even to the point of fearing what the current President might say during a national speech directed to school children across the land. Previous administrations have had their detractors and critics as well. There truly is nothing new under the sun.

What is also not new is that God is not bound to any political party or earthly ruler. Herod was anything but a saint: he will have soon called for the deaths of all the children in Bethlehem. He was determined to retain his control over his kingdom. But all that did not stop God.

Jesus, Son of God, Savior of the world, King of all creation was born on Herod’s watch. Nothing Herod could do would stop that. Nor would his plans to get rid of Jesus suceed. God is on the move. And that’s good news.

Whether you like the current administration or not does not determine God’s intervention into human history. Whether any political leader is godly, pagan, immoral, stubborn, closed-minded, or our great last hope will not, in the end, determine the course of history.

God broke into history by the a baby born in Bethlehem. And He saw to it that Jesus made it all the way to the cross, tomb, and ultimately to God’s right hand. Even the magi were warned in a dream to avoid Herod after visiting Jesus and offering their gifts. They returned another way to their home. Untouched by Herod’s trickery, but deeply blessed in their encounter with God’s Savior: Jesus of Nazareth. Newborn King. Born in a manger. Worshiped by shepherds and magi, and now by angels and archangels and all the company of heaven.

What is happening during your time today and this week that may be God’s time for His great work? More than we all might imagine.

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