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.”

Truth Revealed to Faith

Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Photo by Carl Benton
Photo by Carl Benton

Dietrich Bonhoeffer says that this song is rough, hard, and not sweet. I had not thought of it in that way. I had always seen Mary as meek and unassuming. But that is more a matter of untested and un-reflective misconceptions than a closer look at the song of Mary. But look here: the rich are sent away. The mighty are humbled. The proud are scattered. That’s either envy and seething anger or it is truth revealed to faith for his servant Mary.

It is clear here that this is truth revealed to faith. There are some truths that are counter-intuitive, and so improbable that God must reveal those truths and faith must embracing them. What might that be for you this day? Could it be that God’s promises are laying in the God-breathed truth of Scripture waiting faithful hearts to read and believe them?

  • Could it be that you will be set free when you forgive your enemy?
  • Could it be that by giving you receive much more?
  • Could it be that God does answer prayer?
  • Could it be that there is hope and a future awaiting you as you trust in God?

What promise of God awaits a faithful hearing and receiving in your life? The greatest one has been offered and given: A Savior has been born for you. And if God has given us a Savior, how will he not also with Him freely give us all things?

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