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.”

God does things.

Psalm 105:1-7

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
4 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
5 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
6 O offspring of Abraham, his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

7 He is the Lord our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.

My reading this morning pointed me to a contrast between God and idols. God does things. Psalm 105 spells that out; recounting God’s dramatic and decisive acts in behalf of the nation of Israel at the time of the Exodus (the singular salvific act of the Old Testament). Again and again we are reminded of God’s protection, provision, direction, and guidance through the time of the Exodus, the wandering in the wilderness, and entrance into the Promised Land. It is a powerful reminder of God’s direct involvement in the lives of his people.

Then comes the contrast in Psalm 135:15-18:

The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
16 They have mouths, but do not speak;
they have eyes, but do not see;
17 they have ears, but do not hear,
nor is there any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them become like them,
so do all who trust in them.

Idols, on the other hand, do nothing: They don’t speak, hear, breathe, see, or act. They simply distract from God’s true Glory, power, grace, and faithfulness. Idols are not alive. God is not only alive, he is the source of life. Few of us have idols hidden away in a shrine in our homes: no Baals, no Adremelech statues, no shrines to Molech or Anat (Baal’s mistress).

But there are things in all our lives that distract our attention from the true grace and glory of God. Whether it is our automobiles, computers, clothing, jewelry, money, or just our ability to control nearly every aspect of our lives, whatever takes our eyes off of God’s grace and glory and clouds our view of that which is truly important, good, and of highest value serves an idol’s purpose.

Luther said, “A god is that to which we look for the highest good in life.” Who or what is your God? Is he alive? Does he speak? Can your god save you? Can your god give you eternal abundant life? If yours is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and if He is the One who took on human flesh, died on a cross, and rose from the dead, and if he is the One who sent his Holy Spirit upon us, He can do all those things and more. God does things – good, powerful, just, and life-changing things. Idols merely distract us from that profound reality.

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