Tahoe and the casinos

We visited Lake Tahoe with friends during our trip to California.  Lake Tahoe (which comes from the local Indian name for lake) is the second deepest lake in the country.  The top of the empire state building would not be visible if it were located on the lake bottom.  It is a mountain lake and is located well over a mile above sea level, surrounded by mountain peaks that reach almost another mile higher.   The lake is more than 70 miles in circumference.  The great depth of the water leads to a deep blue that is stunning in clarity and contrast to the surrounding green pines and snow capped mountains.  People are drawn to the lake for many reasons.  We visited the day after the 4th of July and our hosts told us they'd never seen such heavy traffic choking the roads.  Swimming and boating in the summer, skiing in the winter, and camping much of the year are some of the attractions.  But we were surprised to see large casinos also.  The Lake straddles the state line with Nevada and Stateline, Nevada is the name of the town where several large casinos are located.  We decided to stroll through Harrah's Casino.  Standing in stark contrast with the natural beauty of the lake,  Harrah's featured a windowless large floor with all the machines and card / roulette tables you would expect.  I had not experienced a smoke filled room in years and was fascinated to see so many playing the games.  So these folks had come to one of the most beautiful sites in all of America to spend their time and lose their money in a dimly lit room while breathing smoky air.  This made me ponder...What is our view and how do we choose to spend time with our Lord?  He is deeper, grander and more beautiful than Tahoe.  Do we come to experience Him in a direct way, like those who are boating on the lake water?   Do we circle the lake in slow moving traffic and settle only for a glimpse?  Or do we come close to Him only to spend our time walled off in unhealthy activities and ignore His reality, beauty and presence?

Psalm 48 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

blessings,

Rob Smith