A Forgiven Muslim Girl Discovers Her Worth In Christ

“Freely you have received; freely give.” Words of Jesus in Matthew 10:8b

This is Miriam’s story.

I think everyone knows that in Iran the value of a woman is not much. She is always considered a second-rate person.

I was raised a Muslim and continued to live as a Muslim into my adult life. I followed all the rules of Islam. I would constantly torture myself, wondering what my punishment would be in this world or in the afterlife for all my inevitable failures.

As a way to try and better secure my destiny with God, I became more and more devout in my faith. At university, I studied Arabic. I wasn’t like my mother who would simply repeat Muslim verses without understanding what it says. I wanted to dive deeper. And I did. I knew what the Quran said. And the more I understood, the bigger my questions became.

A Courageous Woman Gave Me Hope

After I married, I got to know a woman who was one of my husband’s close family members. I didn’t know it at the time, but she was a Christian and she had begun to pray for me in earnest. She gave me her number and she told me she wanted to get to know me better.

In Iran, even considering a faith outside Islam can be dangerous, especially for a woman.

This Christian woman took a huge risk to share the gospel with me. She didn’t just speak words; she showed me love and kindness, even though she knew the cost of doing so.

She was part of a church network with Transform Iran, and her heart was for people like me, who felt lost and were searching for truth and meaning. At first, I was scared. I didn’t understand this faith and worried about the consequences.

Read more about the underground church in Iran

But there was something so different about her – a joy and peace that made me curious.

Exploring the Gospel in Secret

I decided to learn a little more about her. I looked her up on social media and saw her stories. She was very happy in all her posts and she courageously shared many Christian videos. As I started watching the videos she shared, I realized that we’re not forgiven by our works. We are forgiven by the grace of God so that we can be in heaven. I was stunned.

This was in stark contrast to what I had learned from the Quran and all the years I had spent trying to earn the acceptance of God through my own good works.

What struck me most was that she was sharing this message openly, knowing it could put her in grave danger. Yet she did it anyway, because she believed in the love and power of Jesus Christ.

And through her courage, I began to see the hope and freedom that I had been searching for.

As I continued to explore the message of Christ, it gripped my heart and I knew I had to follow Him. It was amazing to me. Without earning any of it, suddenly and in one moment, Jesus washed away all of my sins. He has forgiven them all! My name is written in the book of life! This truth really impacted me.

I had always felt worthless, that I wasn’t enough and couldn’t be accepted by either people or God. Now suddenly, I was hearing a different message. Not only that, but the sacrifice that God made for me on the cross told me that I am not worthless anymore.

That Iranian girl who saw herself as worthless is now the daughter of God.

This revelation of God, His greatness, His love, His sacrifice … it has gripped me and my dream has become to introduce Him to other women in Iran. Women who think they are worthless. I want them to realize just how valuable they are to God!

Sharing the Good News

Transform Iran invited me to be part of a team that would help translate the Word of God into my language. It took years for me to find salvation but with the translated Word in the language of my people, I can help others know God quickly. It was an easy ‘yes’.

I first started translating portions at night and in secret. My husband and I did not have a good relationship. My two children were small. It was difficult to do it at any other time. But as the stories gripped me more and more, I could not keep them to myself. God’s Word touched my heart when I translated. I finally found the courage to share it with my husband. To my great delight, it touched his heart too and it transformed our marriage!

I am forever grateful for how God has redeemed me and brought me into His Kingdom, guaranteed my eternity with Him, and grafted me into His church.

I know there is risk in what I do as a Bible translator but I am committed to doing everything I can to help others experience the same life changing power that I have.

Read more about our work to translate and share the Bible with every ethnic group in Iran

Read more about our Evangelism ministry to Iranians