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.”

Don’t lead with your chin.

Matthew 10:16-23

[Jesus said,] “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

"Smiley Header" © 2010 David Bahn
"Smiley Header" © 2010 David Bahn

Maybe Jesus is just being melodramatic. Perhaps he is just trying to get the twelve psyched up for the mission at hand. “It’s going to be bad; it’s going to be really bad…” So it goes.The stakes are high and the mission is critical.

These words of Jesus are not among the most favorite for people facing difficult times. The passage might be quickly read over and given a cursory nod of assent. Jesus’ words here, however, are worthy of note on a practical level as well as being foundational to our faith. Simply put, Jesus begins this thought with the practical advice tantamount to saying, “Don’t lead with your chin.” Let’s get our act in order and understand not only the implications of our mission, but do what we can from the human side of things to do well in our calling.

The mission of God is God’s mission. He is the one at work in us and in the world. But that doesn’t call for us to be foolhardy in our part of his mission. How might you engage your mind today in preparation for a divine appointment that God is already preparing for you? How might you be as innocent as a dove but wise to the ways of Satan? How might you prepare yourself for the Holy Spirit to speak through you?

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