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.”

Piece of Work

Ephesians 2:8-10

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

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There are those works of art that are obviously the result of painstaking effort, skill, and an artistic eye. The Venus de Milo is one example. The statue of David in Florence, Italy is another. Such works of art required many hours, great skill, and an artistic eye.

We who have been saved by God’s grace are said to be God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. Our purpose as these works of art is to do the good works that God has prepared for us. Those good works are the encouraging words, acts of kindness, and thoughtful gestures of good will that we extend to one another. They may be in the context of a loved-one’s sorrow at the time of death. They may be a word of hope to a discouraged friend. They may involve a generous gift to someone in need.

Often our own painful experiences heightens our awareness of other’s needs. It may be that we have experienced a generous gift when we were in desperate need. Or we may have benefited from a word of encouragement at a particularly challenging time in our lives. All these gifts and blessings we have received – especially those coming to us in difficult times – make us more fit and ready to do the good works when the time comes.

God works in our hearts and lives to refine us, to make us more sensitive and responsive, and gracious in our relationships with others. His workmanship sometimes rubs off the rough edges, sometimes mends broken hearts, and at other times binds up feeble knees. Perhaps the challenges and difficulties you are facing today are God’s means of making you a beautiful work of art, a piece of work that will bless one special person today. When we act in that way we are also God’s workmanship in the other person’s life, for God works not only on us, but through us. What a privilege and blessing is ours who have been saved!

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