A Christian Vet Story

Colin Melbourne
© 97-08 Born-Again-Christian.Info

Read Part 1 first

How an English vet surgeon, backpacking around New Zealand, became a Christian, following a series of divine appointments, and reading the Gospel of John

What do I Lack?

Don's reply hit me like a bolt of lightning,

"The Lord wants your life. Come and see me."

The impact of his statement was all the greater because he said it so matter-of-factly, like it was blindingly obvious. This threw me on my heels, and I stalled a few days. "After all," I thought, "I've managed quite well for 34 years not knowing God, I'll carry on just fine without him thank you. (None of us like having our balloons burst do we?)

But it was no use resisting, we were both drawn to discover more about what was behind all these 'coincidences'.

Staying with the Crosswells had been a personal revelation. I'd been able to do everything I ever wanted to do. I loved animals, so I studied Zoology, (and had scientific papers published as a student.) Wanted to work with animals, so I studied more, and became a vet. (Great job. Perfect for me.)

Yuuuk! Cleansing a cow in Northumberland, UK.
(Never shake hands with a vet)

I loved flying, so I became a pilot; (and flew solo around the UK, Bahamas, America, and New Zealand.) Loved travelling, so I worked around the world as a relief vet. Loved girls, so I loved girls. I had everything I'd ever desired; and thought I was satisfied and happy, 'living life to the full'.

Yet, being with those almost housebound Crosswells; plagued by problems and afflictions somehow made me feel poor, weak, shallow, and empty inside.

"What was it they had, that I lacked?" How could they be so strong, and so obviously happy in their situation?

I was soon to find out. A week after I phoned Don, we went to see him.

Moment of Truth

"Let's pray," he said as we sat down together. Yeh, just like that. I mean pray. I smirked patronisingly, but was touched by their sincerity (there were three other Christians with Don). We closed our eyes, and they prayed out loud.

It is hard to put into words what happened next, but the main experience, was of being overwhelmed by love. I became acutely aware that I was loved beyond measure. As if a spotlight of unconditional love was focused on my heart. It wasn't from the people there, it was coming from Someone else. My body shook gently, and even though my eyes were tightly closed, joyful tears rolled down my cheeks.

I'm not given to outbursts of emotion. The last time I had shed tears was about ten years before, when my Gran died. I didn't cry at all at my Father's funeral. I was a hard-cased cynical scientist who needed proof before he'd believe anything. Now here I was, trembling and thrilled like never before by; Love.

(I was getting the proof that Someone knew I needed.)

One of the Christians spoke to me;

"Colin, do you want to ask Jesus to forgive your sins? (So that's who it is.)

"Yes!" I managed to choke out, eyes still closed.

"Do you want to ask Him to come into your heart as Saviour?"

"Yes."

"Do you want to make Jesus Christ Lord of your life?"

"Yes!" I replied eagerly.

On my third reply of "Yes", that beautiful presence of love instantly came into, and filled my heart. Pow Right to the core of my being. Immediately I was at peace. Peace beyond description.

(Do you have this peace? You can today.)

The same happened to my Muslim girlfriend when she too said yes to Jesus.

New Creation In Christ

With Don, the week Colin was saved

My treasured ideas and philosophy about life and God were turned upside down... No... Blown away. And replaced by the invisible, yet undeniable, love of Christ for me, and now in me.

Nothing in my entire experience came close to matching this. I was Born Again, and had begun the Greatest Adventure. If you're going to follow Jesus, you'll need a strong seat-belt.

We Begin the Greatest Adventure of All

A very sincere religious teacher asked Jesus about God.

Jesus told him: You must be born again. Jn. 3:7

He explained that this means receiving the life of God into your heart, and allowing God's Spirit to rule by accepting Christ as Saviour and Lord.

The day after we were saved, we were baptized in water together, by full immersion just like Christ instructed.

I'd been 'christened' as a baby, but that didn't make me a Christian. How could it? Only believers can be baptized, and I'd only just believed.

Colin telling why he is about to be water-baptized the day after he was saved

When I came up out of the water, the experience was even more powerful than the previous day's.

I was filled to overflowing with love, joy and peace.

We couldn't help but run around loving and hugging people.

Imagine reaching the peak of Mount Everest, winning an Olympic Gold Medal, and the Nobel Prize, at the same time, without even trying. My water-baptism was even better. Praise God

From then on our lives changed dramatically. When Jesus Christ, the Creator comes into your heart, and you respond to His Spirit's leading, everything changes.

Since God has shown His immense love in sending Jesus to die for us, it's only reasonable that we return such love.

Jesus said:
If you love me, you will obey my commands. Jn. 14:15

We stopped doing things that we now knew were wrong, and began to obey the gentle leading of God's Spirit in our hearts. We continued travelling, but we were new people. We had not 'joined a church' or a group. Nor did we follow a doctrine or a philosophy, and we certainly didn't become religious. We had simply received Jesus Christ into our hearts, and began to follow HIM.

There is a big difference between religion and Jesus

Jesus said, I AM the truth. Jn.14:6

Truth is not a list of facts, Truth is a Person. Jesus Christ is the truth, and there is no other. Do you know Him? When you know the truth, the truth will set you free. (Jn. 8:32)

When you know Him, you too will be free. You will be saved. Saved from a life separated from God and His love. Saved from judgment of sin, saved from Hell, and all condemnation.

John 1:12 says, To all who received him (Jesus, the Living Word of God) to all who believe in his name, he gave power to become children of God... born of God.

This happened to me in 1988, and I love Jesus more today than ever before.

A Lisu woman is baptized after receiving Christ as Saviour

Have you been baptised as Christ commands, since you believed?

Soon after I was saved, Jesus sent me to Thailand to tell of His love, and He looks after me personally, because He knows I'm sincere.

Jesus confirms His Word with miracles, signs and wonders wherever I proclaim it, and people believe in Him.

I've have been thrilled to witness blind eyes opened, cancer healed, the deaf hear, the mute speak, and cripples healed in Jesus' Name.

(I've been a self-financed Missionary in Asia since 1990.)

About a month after I was baptised, I phoned Christine to tell her the Good News.

"Oh how wonderful", she cried, "I knew you two would be saved, we've been praying for you ever since we first met."

A Lisu Hill-Tribe Bible study on the Burmese border

One day, to teach His disciples about God's love, Jesus washed their feet (What a crazy guy eh?) It's in John's Gospel Jn. 13:13-17 He told them,

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now you will be blessed if you do as I have shown you.

Christine was not only a genuine disciple of Jesus, she was also very clever.

She knew I'd never allow her to wash my feet,

... but then she noticed my socks.

Love in Jesus' Name, Colin Melbourne

If you have read this far, it is not because of boredom, nor is it by chance. God's Spirit is drawing you to receive Jesus Christ as Saviour.

Are you willing to read John's Gospel with an open heart?

I pray that you will come to know Christ personally, and comprehend the enormous price He has already paid to give you peace forever.

You may be sneering and cynical like I was. If so, I challenge you to write, and I'll answer you by Email. But be careful, I might just ask to wash your sox.

If the Lord is nudging you to support our ministry, here's how to Contact Us