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.”

Perfection, Wisdom, & Knowledge

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. Psalm 19:7

In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:3

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“ARUS EIGHTY THREE – II” | Fort Casey, WA | January 2019

I am not a perfect guy. That comes as no surprise to anyone who knows the truth of the fallen state of man. We’re all sinners. We all fail. But there are some perfect people – humanly speaking – in the world. Some of them are our work associates, fellow students, family members, or neighbors.

I recall seeing one such person from afar. He was getting ready to do some work in his yard and put out little flags to identify every single one of the sprinkler heads. I thought it was a bit much, more than really necessary. Then I happened to see his garage when he was pulling out one day. Every single tool, lawn-care implement, extension cord, paint can, lawn-care chemical, and can of oil – whatever you can imagine to be in a well-stocked garage – was perfectly place. Completely in line. Not one misaligned item. Not one. This man was obsessively perfect. Even his cars were perfectly aligned in the garage; not one inch to the right or left of where they should be.

I have a fairly neat garage. But it’s not perfect. And don’t even ask me about my desk in my office at home! I like to think that my messiness makes me lovable. I’m approachable. People won’t be put off my my perfectionism. I hope that they are not put off my my messiness!

Consider God. When I think of the phrase, “the Word became flesh,” I have in mind a bit of messiness. The birth process is messy, and without more modern sterile birthing practices, and a feed trough in which he was laid, Jesus embraced the messiness of this world. He took on human flesh and lived among us. Life is messy. Jesus embraced all of our messiness.

But Jesus is also pure and perfect, wise and with full knowledge of us and our fallen state. He is not some plastic cut-out of a perfectly-coiffed, nattily-dressed, and pristinely-presented televangelist. He is real. But don’t let that realness fool you. He is wise beyond any human, and perfect from his heart. He knows you perfectly and has no battle within himself to overcome in order to love you fully. That’s a perfection for which we can all thank God!

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One response to “Perfection, Wisdom, & Knowledge”

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

    “He knows you perfectly and has no battle within himself to overcome in order to love you fully. That’s a perfection for which we can all thank God!”

    This statement to me is just fantastic! It is also revealing as to how we DO have this battle to love others fully. When we are hurt or rejected we retract or react and neither move relationships in a positive direction. When we are well received we respond more openly or may even perform a bit to keep up a front. These obviously have both good and bad points. But, when we love openly, unabashedly out of the kindness of knowing God’s mercy and Jesus’ gift of salvation to us, a new awareness of the sweetness of the gift lands itself deep. You just want more and to give more. Jesus in us is seen and felt and known all around … fully!

    This is a wonderful messy post. Our desks are kindred, I’m certain! All lovable!!!!

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