I was in California last week when the news broke that another baseball superstar, Manny Ramirez of the L.A. Dodgers, was suspended for violating the rules on performance-enhancing drugs.  It's easy to get upset with these athletes who deliberately cheat and break the rules, but what do you expect in a culture that values short-cuts?  Our economy has been badly damaged as a result, in part, of people taking financial "shortcuts" to make more money.  Our standard of morality has been lowered because we have bought into the false notion that integrity can be gained through shortcuts.  But shortcuts are also seen in the church.

Many Christians believe that you can read one book, attend one seminar, go on a weekend retreat, or attend the "in" church and instantly have a close, healthy relationship with God.  But this is the spiritual equivilent of performance-enhancing drugs in athletics.  There is no place for shortcuts in our life with Christ.  Walking closely with Christ is the result of the disciplines of reading the Bible, praying, quiet times with God, simplicity, sabbath rest, service, etc.  Sometimes I wish this weren't the case - like with exercise and diet - but it's not.

I want Alameda to be a congregation that is not afraid to be disciplined in our walk with Christ or to expect discipline from our members.  It's so easy to simply tell people what they want to hear, but some people need to be told to make some difficult changes in their lives if they seriously want to grow in their relationship with God.  Are you willing to make the decisions that lead to closer communion with God?

Don't take spiritual shortcuts, because you won't win in the end - just ask Manny.