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.”

Wages and Gifts

Romans 6:20-23

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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My first real job was in a restaurant, Wayne’s Grill, a small place with 8 booths and about 20 stools at the counter. I made the mistake on my first day there, and sat down in a rear booth. Wayne asked me, “What are you doing?” I told him that I was caught up and I was taking a break. He informed me that he didn’t pay me for taking breaks. There is always something to do, he told me. And there was. Always. The wages I earned for this job? Sixty-two and a half cents per hour. That’s w whopping $5.00 for an eight hour shift. Between the time I graduated from college and when I entered the seminary, I worked in a brick factory. I received a higher wage – $3.60 per hour – and worked harder than I have ever worked in my life. 

Then came our major experience with receiving a number of gifts while we were in seminary. Because of a number of circumstances, we were financially devastated. In a symphony of grace, several people came together with a number of gifts that saved our day. Ask me with I would rather have and I can tell you – the gift provided a much greater joy than the wages!

So why would we not wish to receive the free gift of God – eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord? Why would we choose to remain slaves of sin and keep paying the wages of our sinful behavior? Why choose death rather than the free gift of eternal life? The destiny of those who are enslaved to sin is death. If we are intent on getting what we deserve we will be sadly disappointed in the end. But if we are content to receive the grace and blessings of God we will discover the riches of God’s grace and that eternally.

I am thankful for the free gift of God. How about you? If that is the case, what will our lives look like? Surely we will not choose to be slaves of sin, but rather to be set apart for an eternal celebration of God’s grace.

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