Contributed by Wendy ML Tan • Jul 14, 2026
It’s barely three weeks into the second semester at the seminary, and I am feeling so tired. That may seem odd to those who do not know me well, considering that I only have one class to attend during the week, at least for now. But this one class requires the memorisation of paradigms and vocabulary of an old biblical language. It is mentally exhausting. On top of it, there have been a flurry of activities every other day to attend to. How in the world did I survive this long week? It can only be God.
As I look back through the week, there have been pockets of moments when God intervened. It is only as I sit here and reflect that I see these moments. A simple example would be something that happened this weekend. I would usually have dinner with a few CG sisters after Saturday’s Celebrations. Somehow, they were all busy and couldn’t make it in-person at church. So, I ended up having some personal time to run an errand (and to catch up with a pre-believing acquaintance) before our Engage huddle. Don’t get me wrong, I love hanging out with my CG sisters but having a break from the usual was refreshing.
The worst part of the week was seeing the red symbol lighting up in my car to indicate that it was overheating. At least it was proof that there was really a sound coming from my car that had caused me much anxiousness the past two weeks. To cut the long story short, my car was towed to the workshop where they fixed the fan motor the following day. This unfortunate moment cannot be compared though, to what my friends went through. One was involved in that accident. Another suffered food poisoning. And yet another, injured his wrist.
Our God is our Creator, the One who holds it all. I am thankful that I am able to see Him in many facets of my life, and the lives of the people around me. How He sustains the people I know who are suffering from cancer. How He comforts the grieving heart with the gift of friendship and presence. How He heals the wounded and provides for their needs. How He answers the profound questions we have in seeking Him. How, with so much on my mind, that I am able to write this reflection.
Our God is also our Redeemer. I, for one, will always remember how He has never given up on me. There were several times in life when I had gone astray and yet, He drew me back to Him. Now, in knowing Him, I won’t give up on my own life so easily.
However, admittingly, I find myself guilty of giving up on others.
Two months ago, I wrote about how I had grown faint about sharing the Gospel with my cousin and his family. This time around, a familiar name keeps popping up in my mind. I have known my friend for over 29 years now. I used to pray for her salvation, but after many years, I’d sort of given up. How can I broach the subject that she needs Jesus in her life when she is gaining more and more successes and is surrounded by a lovely family? Why would she want to listen to me now?
Considering that I am the one who happened to be writing about this again would probably mean that I haven’t taken this matter seriously. I imagine that if God had given up on me long before, I wouldn’t even be in church regularly nor would I be serving as a writer, or even be studying and working at a seminary. I might have earned my own successes but be explicitly lonely and empty on the inside. God did not give up. Neither should I.
As my birthday approaches, I hope that it opens up opportunities once again for me to reconnect not just with this friend, but with others too. Who knows what God has in store for them, and for me? All I can do, in response to Him, is that whatever comes, I would still worship and praise Him, and give Him all the glory.
