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.”

The fullness of God’s blessing

Matthew 5:7-12

Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)

We would like to think that we can choose the places of blessedness in our lives. We want to be blessed with well-behaved an successful children. We want to be blessed with a good job and loving spouse. We want to be blessed with good health and long life. Indeed these are blessings from God.

But there is a spiritual dimension to God’s blessings that Jesus points us toward today. Those who are meek, pure in heart, along with the peacemakers are blessed by God. Well enough; we are happy to seek those character traits as followers of Christ. But then comes the challenge: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness (v. 10, emphasis added)?!? What’s that about? And then, as if that wasn’t enough, Jesus gets very personal, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…” (v. 11-12).

Few of us volunteer for persecution; we would much rather enjoy the green pastures and quiet waters of God’s favor. But Jesus’ reminder here is simple: When we follow Him we are not exempt from trouble and hardship; in fact in that trouble and hardship which we endure for Christ’s sake we are blessed. It’s an old struggle: suffering of the righteous. But God’s blessings do not come piecemeal. They richly flow to all sorts and conditions of men. If we are fully to experience God’s blessings we must look for them in every corner, dimension, experience, and facet of life.

Do you believe that God is above all things? Do you acknowledge His ability to do far more than we can even ask or imagine? Is God good? If so, then you will look for God’s blessing in your life today in every event and experience of it. He is faithful. His blessings flow into every aspect of our being.

Give us faith to believe that, O God!

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