This week a group of our youth is at Big Bend National Park. One of my favorite spots to take the teens is to a natural hot spring found there. The hot springs have a unique and rich history. A man named J.O. Langford had always been plagued with illness. In 1909, he heard about a spring in west Texas that had a healing quality. So, he headed west. He stopped in Alpine and asked the people living there about the spring.
The people knew about it.
They knew about the spring, but they also knew about the land the spring was on. They told him that the land was harsh and full of Mexican bandits. No one had been able to settle there before. This did not discourage J.O., he was determined. He staked his claim and began living there.
After 21 days of bathing in the spring and drinking its waters, his health was restored. J.O. built a resort around the spring and people came for its healing waters. J.O. became a self-taught doctor and enjoyed meeting and helping all who came to the spring.
It is worth it.
J.O. was determined to reach the spring and went through many difficulties to get there, but he knew the healing he would find there was worth it. We read in the Bible of healing waters – the waters of baptism. We are told that it is in that faithful act of immersion that our sins are washed way. It is not always an easy journey to meet up with the waters of baptism. You have to turn from sin and accept Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the world. But, just like J.O.’s journey was worth it, the forgiveness of your sins is well worth the journey. It is so great to know that when this life is done Heaven awaits. If you have not been in touch with the healing waters we find in Jesus Christ, don’t wait; do so today.
Youth and Family Minister
