Saved from superstition and swearing: Actor Rayson Tan shares how finding his purpose changed him

I started following my parents’ religion at the age of 10.

I followed them to many places, praying for peace, good health and good results in my studies.

I was following a principle of doing good deeds. By not harming anyone, I believed that I would definitely be blessed with peace, prosperity and a place in heaven.

So for 33 years, I was very occupied with many religious activities and as a result, I was entangled in superstition. I constantly lived in fear.

I thought that was my destiny – that life was meant to be lived with so much anxiety – so I simply accepted it.

But there were times I did ask myself: What is my purpose in life?

I was looking for purpose

In June 2008, my wife and I were invited to attend a “Miracle Service” in a Woodlands church.

Before going to the church, I challenged God by asking Him to manifest Himself, touch me and convince me that He is a true living God who can provide peace and joy to me.

I experienced a certain peace that I had never come across before.

That night during worship, while everyone was singing, I felt an unexplainable force stirring in my heart which caused tears to roll down my face. I didn’t know what it was, but I wasn’t feeling sad. Instead, I experienced a certain peace that I had never come across before.

So on that particular night, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour and became a believer. Indeed, I found the true and living God who provides peace, joy and hope to me.

I am also thankful to God because He is a healer.

Through prayer, God healed my sciatic nerve on the fifth week of “Miracle Service”. I had been suffering from pain since I fell from a horse in 1994.

As long as we are faithful, God can keep His promise. By His stripes, I was healed.

Who says a person’s character can’t be changed?

After reading God’s words, my superstitions and fear were totally delivered too. Many people have said that a person’s character can never be altered. But I realised that as long as we choose to surrender to God, a person’s character can be changed by Him.

For example, my bad habit of using vulgarities and cursing has totally been delivered. Since 2008 till now — not even a single vulgarity word. And I thank God that my habit of buying 4D, Toto and Big Sweep was delivered too.

I have found my purpose in life.

On 9 August 2008, my wife Chen Li Ping also accepted Jesus Christ as her Saviour, followed by my son on October 25 during my baptism ceremony. Besides my family being saved, my 80-year-old mother and my 90-year-old mother-in-law have also accepted Christ. 

I thank God as I have found my purpose in life. I thank God for using me as His messenger for His Gospel.

In spite of the ups and downs in life, I still experience peace, joy and hope from Him.

This article is adapted from an interview with Rayson Tan. It was first published on Thir.st.