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.”

It may be dangerous, but it anchors our souls.

The Shawshank Redemption is a favorite movie of mine. One scene has Red (Morgan Freedman) and Andy (Tim Robbins) talking in the mess hall of the prison where Andy has recently come to be unjustly imprisoned. Andy talks about keeping hope in his heart and Red lectures him, “Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.” God would disagree. Hope is an anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:19).

The people of God at St. John gather for worship on New Years Eve 2010.
The people of God at St. John gather in new (unfinished) Worship Center for worship on New Years Eve 2010.

God invites us to hope. He calls us to press forward in anticipation of his promises, faithfulness, and the victory of Jesus by the resurrection. It is essential that we fix our hope in Jesus and his words and promises, however, or we will be disappointed. Red is right: if our hopes are godless, they are dangerous. But if our hopes are founded on Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, and the promises that God has made to save us, and to give us hope and a future, we have a powerful ally for meaningful and purposeful life.

Hope is not only God’s gift; it is a tool for evangelism. “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15) When people see people of hope – especially the pure hope of God that has been tested and is found to be authentic – they will ask why it’s there. If we are prepared, we can give God the glory and point people to Jesus as the source of true hope.

You can go through life expecting little and avoiding disappointment. But people who live like that are half dead. There is no spring in their step, no life in their eyes, not energy in their persona. God’s gift is abundant life. In Jesus our hope is not dangerous; it is a wellspring of life.

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

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