David Bahn – Reflections

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Diane and I had a very pleasant surprise this morning. We’re in Phoenix for the Best Practices in Ministry conference. This free conference is sponsored by Christ Church Lutheran here. Pastor Jeff Shrank is a fireball of energy and creativity. I’m wondering just now what costume he’ll show up in today. A clown? A bear? A blow-up dinosaur? Who knows? But he’ll show up to engage, encourage, and inspire people to do whatever it takes to bring the gospel message to people. He wants us all to know that we’re not alone. And with nearly 3000 people in attendance, consuming pounds of fruit, gallons of sodas, water, tea, and sports drinks, we’ll be blessed in the generosity of his church. Behind, under, above, beside, and in front of us all will be the gospel message of Jesus’ love for people, and the Holy Spirit’s power for mission and ministry. What a gift! What a blessing! What a joy!

Back to our very pleasant surprise. I was sitting in the hotel restaurant, having eaten breakfast, and read most of my daily emails. In walks Diane, and I gave her a big smile. We had talked the night before about being more intentional about serving out of our marriage. We agreed to be more intentional about being spiritually and emotionally present and connected for each other. When she walked into the restaurant, she and I must have remembered that and smiled at each other.

A few moments later a woman came to our table. “This is your wife, isn’t she?” she asked. “Yes.” “When she walked in you lit up and smiled at her. She walked over and you both engaged with each other. It was so sweet to see.”

Wow, we thought. We actually did it. Our intentional connecting and serving from our marriage, became evident. The young woman was impressed and encouraged. Diane told her about the book, The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero. The woman asked several times for the name of the book. It had been the basis for our intentional effort at engaging with each other.

This is pertinent to this passage from Galatians because of the last verse in this section: Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Today we heard, “Theology without community is lifeless and pointless.” Paul is making that very point in the middle of talking about circumcision! It’s not just about true theology, it’s about how that true theology is to be expressed and lived out: in gracious and authentic community. 

This has been a very encouraging experience – even though I’m no longer in the throes of full time ministry. I hope to write a blogpost special edition tomorrow summarizing at least some of our experiences here. I am thankful that the fruit of the Spirit is so evident at this conference, and I pray that we can sow seeds of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness…and the like in our neighborhoods and churches.

PS: Happy Valentine’s Day, Diane! I love you!