Daily Walk

“My walk with the Lord has been quite consistent.

(On non-dialysis days)

I wake up at 6am. After washing up and having breakfast, I begin my quiet time with the Lord starting with praying for my family and others, especially for those who are sick. Next I would read the day’s devotional from Our Daily Bread, and after that, I would go about doing my own things such as going to the market, preparing the items for lunch and dinner, go to the gym, prepare lessons for bible study, etc. In the night, before bedtime, for 7 days a week, I would read a chapter of the Bible, pray and retire for the day.

(On dialysis days)

I wake up at 4.30am and after I have washed up and had breakfast, I would spend my quiet time with the Lord. After my quiet time, usually from about 5.45am to 6.30am, I would go to the dialysis centre for treatment. After I return home from dialysis around 12.15pm, I’d eat lunch, and thereafter, my routine is quite similar to that of the non-dialysis days.

Thanks to my small group that has nurtured me over the years. Today, our small group, which was formed in 1983, is known as Friends Connect Group, and I happen to be the group leader. God has been good to me all these years.

Sudden Paralysis

During and after my encounter with paralysis*, God has drawn me much closer to Him than before. I now understand what Jesus meant when He said in John 14:27 –

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” I have no doubt ‘the peace that the Lord Jesus gives is a gift the world cannot give.

Throughout those days as I lay paralysed in the hospital, I had no fear at all. I felt the presence of the Lord and His peace kept me cheerful and gave me hope. In my heart, I believe God will heal me. In fact, I had several dreams that I was well and moving around again. Yes, He is my all in all.

God is true to His Word in Isaiah 46:4 –

Even to your old age and grey hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you, and I will rescue you.

Cancer and Covid

I’d been walking closely with God since 2007, when I had cancer and nearly died. 

Back in 2007, on 13 May, my beloved wife, Jinny, went home to be with the Lord, after battling lung cancer for 4½ years. I was thrown into the dark valley of life, trapped in grief, sadness and despair. And, as though that was not enough, another disaster struck soon.

On 25 May, I collapsed while playing golf. I was sent to the hospital, and the devastating result was I had second-stage colon cancer. Surgery was done on 4 June, but a week later, it turned sepsis. Tubes were all over my body, and at one point, I felt I was dying.

By God’s grace, I recalled reading about King Hezekiah’s illness and imminent death, but God, in His mercy, healed him and promised to add 15 more years to his life (2 Kings 20:1-7) In faith, I told God:” If You could add 15 more years to king Hezekiah’s life, please Lord, do it for me also.”

From 2007 to 2022, it was exactly 15 years. In 2022, I had COVID and nearly died again—but God rescued me. 

Now, I no longer ask for more years. I simply say, “Lord, Your will be done.” Because of this, I have peace and no fear. 

Obedience

Trust and obey. We are not perfect, but we must desire to walk with God, know His Word, and follow Him. The Holy Spirit will guide and correct us. I remember once in the 1990s, I was rude to a bank teller. Later, I felt convicted. I went back with a cake to apologise. That’s how God works in our lives—He shapes us continually.

Loving God and loving your family go hand in hand. You cannot claim to love God and not love the people around you.  

We embrace both the good and difficult seasons of life, trusting that God is at work in all of it.”

Lights On The Hill features real voices and snapshots of real faith exemplified in the daily lives of our church family.

*Read the story of James Tan’s recovery from paralysis in Salt and Light published on 7 Nov 2024.

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