About 20 years ago in Iran I became friends with Christine. The way that she lived her life and the interaction between family members was very special to me. Christine was born into a Christian family. We were both living in the same country, same city, and same government, but her family lived with a special peace and calmness about them, so much different than myself living under the same circumstances. The only difference that I could see between Christine and I was our religion. This made me wonder how it could be possible that a different religion could make such a big difference in their lives.
Even though I was born into a Muslim family, what I knew about Islam came from my grandmother and grandfather. I had no desire to study or practice Islam because it was Arabic and I was being pressured into it. Several times I went to church with my friend, Christine, and I could see how their sermon and their religious practice was so simple and peaceful, with no pressure placed upon the people attending. This notable difference was special to me.
When Lili, my sister, was baptized in 2010 and let us know that she was now a Christian, this gave me more opportunity to speak about Christianity and faith in Jesus Christ. Sometimes when I would go through difficult times, especially when I was waiting for my green card, and struggling to care for my parents in their sickness, Lili would encourage me to read the book of Psalms and the Gospel of John. So, I asked my friend, Christine, for a Bible. I started to read the Psalms and those verses were very helpful and encouraging to me, especially being in the Persian language and not Arabic. The effect of the Word of God continued to work in my heart.
When I came to the United States in 2013, Lili, Rahi, and I talked much about those verses. Lili gave me Psalm 23 to calm me and Psalm 38 when I was sad and hopeless. I could see that David, too, struggled with these same things. Lili also directed me to John 1 so that I could read and learn that Jesus is God. I not only read from the book of Psalms and John, but also many other books of the Bible.
I started to come to church in which my relationship with Jesus Christ grew more and more, greatly increasing my knowledge about heaven, and increasing my faith and strength in Jesus Christ. Lili told me that we can live forever in heaven and sit with God, because of our saving faith in Jesus Christ. This understanding was the most wonderful promise that I had heard up to this point in my life. It was this understanding that absolutely touched my mind and heart and gave me a peace and calmness. In this moment with all my heart and mind, I felt so happy and blessed to know and learn about Jesus Christ, my only Savior.
I really appreciate my Lord and Jesus Christ who gave me the grace of faith and salvation. I also appreciate all my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, especially Dr. Tim for the good teaching and also the interpreting of Rahi. I am so thankful to God that I live in another country, but I don’t feel alone and a stranger. I know this faith received is only possible through the love and kindness and grace of my Lord Jesus Christ.
Ladan Moshki