David Bahn – Reflections

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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.”

The Water of Life

I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people. Isaiah 43:20

Jesus cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me.” John 7:37

Have you ever been really thirsty? Mouth dry. Lips cracked. Ready-to-jump-into-the-nearest-mud-puddle-and-drink-from-it-like-a-dog thirsty? I have. I was young and working outside on a hot summer day. I was so thirsty and hot that I drank my fill from a nearby hose then jumped into our motel’s newly-filled pool. The water was shockingly cold. I was given a summer cold of the worst kind from that bit of desperate hot thirst.

Jesus offers us living water. More that, Jesus promises not merely to quench the thirsty one’s thirst, he promises that those who believe in him will be a source of refreshing water to others.

“Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” – John 7:38

During their sojourn in the wilderness God provided water for his people. One time Moses struck a rock and sweet, refreshing water flowed. Another time God sweetened bitter water by instructing Moses to throw a branch into the bitter water to make it sweet.

Isaiah’s prophecy isn’t merely a recalling of those halcyon days of Moses, but looking forward to a new provision of God: the water of life (John 4). God’s gift to us is the refreshing water of life.

We cannot help but think of baptism in connection with this talk of water. Baptism is a washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5), a washing of water with the word (Ephesians 5:26). Baptism connects us with Jesus’ death and resurrection (Romans 6:1-4).

We think little of going to the faucet to get a drink; unless we go to a reverse osmosis spigot, or a designer water bottle in our refrigerator. May we not think little of the waters of baptism by which we are called to serve the King of Kings, and represent him to a world that is so thirsty it is lapping up the most rancid and caustic water-substitute so really available at every turn.

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One response to “The Water of Life”

  1. Quilting Crosses with Threads of Hope Avatar
    Quilting Crosses with Threads of Hope

    I feel excited when your photo connects for me to the scriptures and your words.
    So, why DO they (the ducks) swim right out to the middle where the deep waters flow? It is where their God-given DNA tells them to go! And so they swim, they dive, are fed, are washed, are strengthened and find safety all away from the familiar shore. The parents coax and prod (literally pushing) their brood to follow them into this water. They do not ask them if they WANT to go or are ready and willing. (similar to some present-day parenting styles) They do what is best for them by taking them into the deep water which may seem uncertain to them. Deep calls to deep (Psalm 42:7) so, Yes, as the waterfalls wash over, as the waters of baptism have cleansed, of rivers of living water have fed, as communion with Him brings life, Jesus is the Life and He is the Word which brings life! So, I will be bold to ask this here in public, “Where is my(your) God-given DNA telling me (you) to go? I guess I should listen for Him and then listen, TO HIM!

    Forgive me for “blogging” on your blog – I was excited over all the connection! Going into “deep water” feels scary and exposing to me, but knowing that it is truly God’s way of stretching and forming us into who HE wants us to be is comforting, challenging and exciting all at the same time.

    Loved this post! God bless your day!

    Reply

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