Tanya Ferdinandusz from Sri Lanka is a regular contributor to SU’s Bible-reading guides, bringing God’s Word to life for thousands of Christians. She shares her personal faith journey, her perspective on Scripture and some moments when it has spoken to her most deeply.
I grew up in a Christian family and went to church. However, I had no personal relationship with Jesus and no comprehension of the concept of grace. That changed in 1988 when I was due to study Law at the University of Colombo. My studies were delayed because of civil unrest and the closure of the universities. I was incredibly frustrated.
Then I met a group of young Christians called FOCUS (Fellowship of Christian University Students). The uncertainty they faced was much greater, being part-way through their courses, yet they seemed at peace. I had not read much of the Bible, so I took my first steps in studying God’s Law and joined their weekly Bible study.
Over the course of a year, I examined the evidence for Jesus as the Messiah and asked many questions. I came to the life-changing conclusion that the good news of Jesus was indeed true. God used a time of great disappointment to bring me the greatest blessing – salvation!
Later, after having my first baby and seeking to keep my mind active, I took a creative writing course and began submitting articles to Christian publishers, including SU, for whom I started writing in 1999.
"God used a time of great disappointment to bring me the greatest blessing - salvation!"
I like reading the Bible each morning, to hear that ‘still, small voice’ of God and let him ground my perspective before the day takes over. God often uses his Word to bless me with timely reminders, gentle nudges, or quiet affirmations. However, some scriptural revelations have been particularly significant.
One such moment occurred some years ago when I was on my way to get the results of a biopsy. Desperate for assurance that nothing was wrong, my fingers searched for Psalm 91 on my phone – but Isaiah 43:2 appeared instead. I didn’t want to hear about passing through deep waters or walking through fire! But it transpired that I needed surgery, and I clung to Isaiah’s very relevant assurance of God’s constant presence (thankfully, the lump was benign).
Another occasion came when in 2022 I was writing on Habakkuk for SU’s Encounter with God Bible-reading guide, as Sri Lanka was plunged into unprecedented political and economic crisis. The disconnect between Habakkuk’s expectations and experiences of God were so relevant. I wrote: The raw edge of perplexed pain in the words tumbling off Habakkuk’s tongue is my pain. The prophet’s agonised struggle to make sense of God’s apparent indifference … and inaction … is my struggle. Fears rise easily, while hope feels elusive, joy seems distant, and praise, quite frankly, is a struggle. Habakkuk’s willingness to be real before God, to remain faithfully at his watch-post despite God’s delayed response, and his readiness to praise God even during tough times felt like life-lessons directed right back at me.
I feel that the Bible is, above all, a revelation of God’s heart for his people. But it is also a guide on how to live each day – ‘a lamp to my feet’ (Psalm 119:105), providing light for the step I’m on rather than illuminating the whole road ahead. It’s a compelling reason to keep that lamp close beside me so that, step by step, moment by moment, God might guide and lead me safely along his path of life.
A Daily Lamp to your Feet
Our number one focus at SU in England and Wales today is helping churches Reveal Jesus to the 95, but we are also committed to ensuring people of all ages can effectively engage with God’s Word daily. Head to su.org.uk/bibleguides to discover our Bible-reading guides to help you do just that.