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.”

Jesus’ higher calling

Matthew 4:18-20

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20At once they left their nets and followed him.

A colorful flat-bottom boat on the beach in Progresso, Mexico
A colorful flat-bottom boat sits on the beach in Progresso, Mexico

Not every fisherman was called by Jesus to abandon his fishing business; how else would the fish markets have stayed open? Nor does Jesus call every disciple to front-line evangelism; the everyday needs of society are sustained by godly people engaged also in social ministry, pursuit of justice, and raising of families. Jesus begins his public ministry by gathering a group of disciples who will have unique and pointed responsibilities to advance the Kingdom of God.

All of God’s people, however, do have a higher calling to follow Christ advance the cause of His Kingdom. We are each to live under Christ in His kingdom. We are each to serve Him by serving our neighbor; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:25-28).

Make no mistake: this is not necessarily about selling all your possessions and heading off to some foreign country to live in the wilderness and work among people of a distant culture – although that could be where God is calling you. But don’t make the opposite and perhaps more dangerous mistake of believing that faith in Jesus is only about Jesus and you being together in heaven. It is a good thing when a person called to foreign mission work heeds that call. It is a good thing when a sinner puts his faith in Christ and is saved. It is not good, however, when we project those good things to be the only way to follow Christ or all it means to believe in Him.

Jesus is calling us to a higher life and purpose. To follow Him means we will need to leave some things behind. For some that will be a family business. For others it will mean a change of lifestyle. But for each of us it will mean leaving behind our desire to take care only of ourselves and following Jesus in serving God and our neighbor.

Consider today just what nets, business, lifestyle, or purpose you need to leave behind in order to follow Christ. And in so doing discover the richness of Jesus’ higher calling in your life.

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