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.”

Gated Community

Matthew 7:13-14

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Stockyards Gate © David Bahn
Stockyards Gate © David Bahn

I don’t like these words of Jesus; they sound so harsh and dire. I don’t want to believe that few people find the narrow gate and that many are on the broad road that leads to destruction. I want to believe that the head-long rush of the world will not end in destruction. Actually I want to believe that people love Jesus, and that the great rush of the world is toward him and his kingdom; to life and not to destruction. I want to believe that I am part of a majority; that most people believe as I do and are seeking to find their way along life’s way with Jesus.

But being part of the majority is not most important. Caleb and Joshua were in the 2 to 10 minority, but Joshua led the children of Israel into the Promised Land. David was a small in comparison to Goliath, but he prevailed by the name of the Lord. Gideon defeated a large army with a few chosen warriors. In the kingdom of God the minority, the small, the powerless, and the humble in Christ are on the road to life.

Life in Christ is counter-intuitive. We win by losing. We find life by giving up life for Jesus and the gospel’s sake. We discover life in the death of Jesus.

I am thankful that Jesus has called me to the path of life and pray that many more will enter God’s kingdom through the door that is Christ. That’s what he says of himself: “I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:17), and “I am the way, the truth, the life” (John 14:6). All other paths – no matter how pleasant, easy and appealing they may be – lead to destruction. But Jesus’ invitation: “Enter through the narrow gate,” is an invitation I love and delight in. I hope you will join me on that path today – part of the gated community of God’s grace.

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