Here are a few fun facts: Lake Tahoe is 22 miles long, 12 miles wide, has 72 miles of shoreline and a surface area of 191 square miles. Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the United States, with a depth of 1,645’ (the deepest is Crater Lake in Oregon). The largest city on the Lake is South Lake Tahoe, California.
The area around Lake Tahoe was previously inhabited by the Washoe tribe of Native Americans. The name, Tahoe, comes from a word that means, much water, or big water; also "da-o"—blue water. Lake Tahoe became the “official” name in 1945.
Lake Tahoe is beautiful year round, and it truly is a destination place. My wife Amy and I honeymooned at Lake Tahoe way back in May of 1990. As a family we have visited the Lake many times over the years. If you’ve been there, you probably have your favorite beach area. I’m a Zephyr Cove fan (which happens to be on the Nevada side).
So, what is the Lake itself known for? One of the main things is, its clarity. It’s a very “clean” lake. Environmental watchdog groups are very protective of the Lake. There are agencies that track discharge, concentrations of nutrients and sediments that come from streams into the Lake. UC Davis is a primary steward of the Lake, and each year they produce a “State of the Lake” assessment report. It’s all about “clean.” The attitude and motive is obvious: “Let’s keep our lake clean—we want to see and experience its beauty.”
This is the perfect place to pause and have our lesson time. So, what “clean” really matters? What about the “inner” Lake Tahoe, or the heart of Lake Tahoe? How clean or safe do you think life is around the lake, spiritually speaking? Unfortunately, not as clean as the water.
The crime rate in South Lake Tahoe is considerably higher than the national average. Relative to California, South Lake Tahoe has a crime rate that is higher than 73% of the State’s cities and towns of all sizes. When you compare SLT to other communities of similar population, SLT’s crime rate is higher than average. Violent crime in SLT occurs at a rate higher than in most communities in America. Drugs, prostitution, alcoholism, divorce, gambling addictions and social problems are at high levels.
With regards to “clean,” what area of clean are we concerning ourselves with? What’s our priority? The Apostle Paul writes, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come,” 1 Timothy 4:8. The point is, the outer only goes so far. The inner effects our life here, and, in eternity.
Jesus saw and called out what he observed in many: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me,” Matthew 15:8. People had learned to say the right things at the right time—they gave the appearance of godliness or cleanliness through what they said.
Jesus went further… “Woe to you… You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. … First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside will also be clean,” Matthew 23:25-26.
Our natural tendency is to want to start on the outer, or surface stuff. That’s because it’s easier. Appearance and image comes first. The reality is, if we’re honest with ourselves, we often don’t want to deal with our hearts, and what condition it’s in. That gets a little too personal.
There is a question we need to answer. In the long run, as an example, are environmental problems going to destroy us first, or will cold, hard and polluted hearts? Jesus did not say, don’t concern yourselves with the outside. He said, first, the inside, then the outside. We often deal with outside, and then conveniently forget there is an inside.
Even the spiritual leader Samuel forgot God’s perspective when he went to find and anoint a new king. “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart,” 1 Samuel 16:7. God knows that everything flows from one’s heart—motives, desires, attitudes, affections, and loves.
King David, who would be the person anointed to be King, went through a lot during his reign. His desire comes out in one of the Psalms he wrote: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting,” Psalm 139:23-24. That’s one brave prayer request!
UC Davis produces a “State of the Lake” report every year based on what is discovered and assessed. Spiritually, King David was asking God to do an assessment of his heart, and then, let him know what was discovered. “Give me the results, and don’t hold back.” His attitude when hearing the results of one of those reports was, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” David wanted a clean and pure heart.
How does that happen? Was David handed down an itemized list, and told, “Do this and you will be clean?” No. God does the cleaning. “If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just, will forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” 1 John 1:9. God declares us to be clean, because Jesus’ blood cleanses and washes away our sin. Jesus’ death on the cross, for us, means our sins have been atoned for, taken away, and covered. God works to renew, cleanse, and redirect our hearts.
As I reflect on this, I actually see two lessons from Lake Tahoe. The first, regards the outer vs. the inner, and what should be of greatest concern. The clean that really matters—is what makes us right with God. The second, is that the pure and the impure exist side by side, and reminds us of how cautious we need to be, to not allow the impure to pollute us. We are like the Lake. Many things can find their way down the tributaries that flow into our hearts and minds. Unchecked, the buildup can really hurt us. The lesson from Lake Tahoe is, there is a clean that matters most. Desire Christ’s cleansing from sin first, then He will bless the rest.
I am truly grateful to God for the beauty He has created for us to enjoy. Lake Tahoe is an amazing gift. I want to go back!
It’s great traveling with you. Blessings.
Join me next week, as together we head to Bodie—the famous ghost town. The lesson there teaches us how not to have a ghost town existence.
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