Zinc Dr. Tan Tech

DAILY REFLECTION
15 May 2026

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails"
Proverbs 19:21

In early January 2023, my ministry partner Dr. Paul shared with Prof Mark our plans to visit NZ in April to sign an important contract for his official appointment as Chair of TOS at the seminary after his heart valve replacement surgery at CVSKL. Hope filled our hearts as new opportunities began unfolding for the future growth of TOS. It seemed that a new chapter of expansion and breakthrough was just ahead.

On the evening before his planned discharge from the hospital, everything changed in a single moment. Dr. Paul suddenly collapsed and never regained consciousness. His passing on 22 January 2023 brought unimaginable shock and grief, leaving a profound void not only in my life, but also in the ministry we had faithfully built together.

For years, he had carried much of the operational and academic responsibilities alone. No one else had access to the seminary’s passwords, systems, or critical information. Overnight, I found myself standing in the middle of uncertainty and confusion. Without theological training, sufficient resources, or strong support, I felt completely overwhelmed and helpless, unsure how to continue leading TOS. What once appeared to be a season filled with promise suddenly became a journey marked by grief, fear, and unanswered questions.

We often make plans with confidence, believing we know the direction ahead. Yet life can change without warning, reminding us that human control is fragile and temporary. Even the most carefully arranged plans can collapse in a moment, but God’s sovereign purpose remains steadfast and unshaken.

Though our understanding is limited, God continues to work beyond what we can see. In seasons of loss, uncertainty, and broken dreams, He gently teaches us to surrender our plans, trust His higher wisdom, and rest in the assurance that His purpose will always prevail.

Proverbs 19:21 teaches us to surrender our desire for control and trust fully in God’s wisdom. Though human plans may fail or change, God’s purpose remains firm forever. At times, He allows unexpected disruptions not to destroy us, but to redirect us according to His greater will. When we place our lives and ministries in His hands, we can move forward in faith and peace, confident that His plans are always wiser, higher, and ultimately for His glory and our good.

"When God cancels your plans, it's always for a greater purpose"